The students had earlier blocked the Benin-Ore Highway to protest weeks of power outage on campus.
Following protests by students against power outage in their institution, the authorities of the University of Benin on Thursday shut down academic activities indefinitely.
The students had earlier blocked the Benin-Ore Highway to protest weeks of power outage on campus.
The decision to shut down the institution was communicated in a statement by the school’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire.
He claimed that the decision was hinged on the refusal of the students to shift grounds on their demands.
The students, who had two weeks until their first semester examination, said the situation was severely affecting their preparations.
The students also called for a downward review of transport fare by the UNIBEN shuttle service, which was increased with effect from July 1.
The university was thrown into a blackout by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) following the inability to reach agreement over contentious electricity billings.
The electricity bill of the organisation increased from about N80 million to between N200 and N280 million.
It was reported that the university rationalised electricity distribution after having to rely on generators.
In the notice of closure made available to NAN, Ehanire described the students’ demand for 1,125-hour supply of electricity as unrealistic.
Ehanire said, “Following the insistence of students of the University of Benin to shift grounds on their demands for twenty four hours supply of electricity and more, considered unrealistic by the University’s Senate, the University has shut down academic activities indefinitely.
“Students are to vacate the hostels immediately while all the relevant units of the University are to take note and comply.
“However, non-teaching staff and staff on essential duties are not affected by the shut down.”
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