UNIBEN shuts down over students’ protest

UNIBEN-MAIN-GATE

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has been closed following protest that greeted the N20,000 late registration fee imposed by the school authority.

Vice-chancellor of the varsity Prof. Lilian Salami ordered all students to vacate their hostels and the university premises no later than noon on Wednesday, a statement issued by the registrar of the institution Ademola Bobola said.

Students of the institution, on Tuesday, blocked the Benin-Lagos Expressway and the Ekheuan Road during the protest.

The students described the fee as unpleasant particularly amid the “unfavourable economic situation’’ in the country.

The statement by the registrar said the closure of the university is with immediate effect.

“This is based on security reports to avoid the students’ action being hijacked by hoodlums, and thereby prevent any form of breakdown of law and order within and outside the campuses of the University,’’ the statement added.