UNIBEN VC Reverses Fee Increment, Reopens Hostels

After a two-day protest embarked upon by the students of the University of Benin over a Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) increment to the school fees, the campus community has finally struck gold in their drill as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami, bowed to the demands of the students.

On Tuesday the 14th of September, the students kicked off a peaceful demonstration, blocking the Benin-Lagos road and rendering commuters and vehicles stranded for hours, in order to press home their grievance over the sudden hike in school fees by the school’s management.

The agitation, which took a wider dimension the following day, resulted in the temporary closure of the University by the management with students being directed to vacate the various halls of residence, before noon.

However, not deterred by the new development, UNIBEN students took their demonstration to strategic offices within the school premises including the Vice-Chancellor’s office and official residence.

Responding to the demands by the students, Professor Lilian Salami, after being stressed by the unrepenting students announced the automatic removal of the N20,000 increment in school fees and pleaded with the students to return to their halls of residence while she promised the supply of adequate power and water for occupants who reside in the school hostels.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Dean of Students Affairs, the Chief Security Officer of the University of Benin and other security agencies to the school main gate, where she addressed the mammoth crowd of students present at the protest.