Massive Protest Ongoing in Uniben

Students from the University of Benin took a stand on Wednesday, blocking the busy Benin-Ore Highway to voice their frustration over weeks of campus-wide power outages. With their first semester exams just around the corner, the lack of electricity has seriously hampered their ability to study and prepare.

Edotoday reports that the university plunged into darkness due to an unresolved dispute with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) regarding a steep increase in electricity charges. The university’s management expressed dismay after the BEDC allegedly hiked their monthly electricity bill by more than 200%.

Previously, the university paid around N80 million monthly for electricity. However, the sudden surge in charges pushed the bill to between N200 million and N280 million. This drastic increase forced the university to rely heavily on generators and implement rationing of electricity across its campuses and hostels.

“We’re barely getting one hour of electricity per day since this problem began. Studying in such conditions is exhausting,” said John Afolabi, a student participating in the protest. “We need power to study and prepare properly for our exams. The university must take responsibility and resolve this issue.”

Early in the morning, students took to the streets with placards and chants, causing a major disruption to traffic flow along the highway. Their message was clear: they would not disperse until their demands for reliable electricity were met.

Sarah Osaigbovo, a third-year student at the Ugbowo campus, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “We can’t risk failing our exams because of the university’s negligence,” she said passionately.

The protest not only highlighted the students’ plight but also underscored the broader impact on the community, as commuters faced delays and difficulties reaching their destinations due to the blockade.

The university administration has yet to comment publicly on the ongoing situation, leaving students and stakeholders eagerly awaiting a resolution to the power crisis that has disrupted academic activities and daily life on campus.

Massive Protest Ongoing in Uniben – see video