Students of the University of Benin, Ekheuan Campus, staged a protest on Saturday morning over a three-day blackout and water shortage at the institution. The demonstration took place at the school gate, where the students blocked access to the campus in Benin City, Edo State, demanding immediate action from the management.
The protest began after students said they had endured three days without electricity and running water in their hostels. The situation disrupted normal activities on campus and left staff members, business operators, and visitors stranded outside the gate. Many people who had planned activities within the school premises were unable to gain entry as the students refused to allow movement in and out of the campus.
Some of the students said they were frustrated that despite paying school fees and other charges, basic services were not available. They complained that the lack of water had made daily living difficult, especially in the hostels where students depend on a steady supply for bathing and sanitation. The blackout also raised safety concerns among residents.
Reports from the campus indicated that an incident occurred the previous night when an unidentified individual armed with a cutlass allegedly attempted to enter the female hostel. During the attempt, a student was said to have sustained an injury while the suspect tried to escape. The incident added to the tension among the protesting students.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of the Ekheuan Campus, Professor Adesina Ayinde, addressed the students during the protest. He informed them that arrangements had been made to restore water supply the same day and that efforts were ongoing to resolve the electricity issue. However, the students insisted they would not reopen the gate until water began to flow on campus.
It was gathered that the only generator serving the campus had broken down. A backup generator that was acquired during a previous administration had reportedly been relocated to the university’s main campus in Ugbowo by the immediate past management.
As of the time the report was filed, senior university officials were still engaging with the students in an attempt to calm the situation and restore normal activities within the campus.