Uniben threatens to shut down campus as students protest blackout

The senate said this in a statement by the institution’s spokesperson, Dr. Benedicta Ekhanire, after a meeting on the protest.

“The Senate of the University resolved that if dialogue with the students fails and the protest persists, it will have no other option but to shut down the institution,” the statement said.

The Senate described the students’ action as unfortunate and that it is particularly  concerned with the trend  whereby students  block the federal highway, causing hardship to travellers and  other commuters.

The statement said some members of the decision making body had been mandated to continue with  dialogue with the students on their unrealistic demand for 24-hour electricity supply which they  enjoyed before the university was disconnected  by BEDC as a result of the disputed monthly bill of over N250million slammed on the institution by the electricity company.

“Senate also described the two other complaints by the students about high costs of food and transportation as out of the university’s control,” the statement added.

The Senate, however, commended the institution’s management for the several steps taken so far to ensure the comfort of the students even in the face of the harsh realities in the country.