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UNIBEN Students protest hike in school fees, gives the school a deadline that has now expired

Students of the University of Benin gave the School management Saturday as deadline to withdraw its decision to increase school fees, hostel fees, among others, this deadline just passed and the Studen governing body is circulating messages to awaken students to this reality.

Protest by the students brought vehicular movement to a halt on the ever busy Benin – Lagos Express Way, Ugbowo, for several hours on Thursday.

Thousands of University of Benin Students were seen with placards bearing different inscriptions “Uniben what’s the problem” “No to increase in School fees”, “Education is a right not a privilege” among others.

Student Union Government President, Uniben Chapter, Comrade Osamudiamen Ogbidi, said the protests were as a result of the increase in administrative charges including school fees, hostel fees, transportation, non-payment of work-study students among others.

SUG PRO, Comrade Goodnews Ehiabi, said the development is worrisome, emphasizing that the minimum wages of parents and guardians have not been increased hence the protest.

Other students who spoke said the University of Benin is denying children of the poor tertiary education, demanding for a total reversal of increments in school fees, acceptance fees, transfer fees, hostel fees, among others from the current amount to the previous amount been paid.

Reacting to the protest by students, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Faraday Orumwense, appealed to the students for calm, pointing out that the School Council will look into the matter latest Saturday this week.

A circular has been sent from the University of Benin directing all students to move out of the hostel, not putting into consideration the plight of students from afar.

Recall that a similar scene played out in Federal Polytechnic Auchi, where the Polytechnic proscribed the SUG and expelled its President and two Union Members when the student body threatened to disrupt the second-semester exams in protest over the postponement of the SUG elections.

Meanwhile, reports have it that Ahmadu Bello University has the cheapest fee in the North, with school fees payment put at N27,000, while the most expensive University is Babcock University with payment range from N620, 000 – N3m.

As at Friday morning, over ten police vans were seen in front of the School main gate, while students were not allowed into the school premises.

However, Staffs of the University, with their staff identity cards were allowed into the school premises.

Meanwhile, the convocation ceremony for students (undergraduates and postgraduates), slated for Friday and Saturday held successfully with the Chancellor of the University, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in attendance.

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