UNIBEN students block highway to protest alleged N20, 000 late registration charge

Benin, Sept. 14, 2021, Vehicular movement was today, disrupted at Ugbowo area of Benin-Ore highway as students of University of Benin embarked on a protest against alleged N20,000 late registration charge by the institution’s management.

Newsatlarge reports that the students mounted a road block at the entrance of the university’s main campus in Ugbowo, which affected free flow of traffic in other areas.

A student of the university, who preferred anonymity, blamed the action on the harsh decision of the management to charge N20,000 for late registration despite what she termed “the unfavourable economic situation in the country.”

“Madam Vice Chancellor increased tuition fees by N20,000. This is so sad and we will continue the protest unless the decision is rescinded,” she said.

She, however, called on concerned authorities to intervene in the situation.

Mr Benjamin Egwu, the President, Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the university said that the decision of the management to charge N20,000 for late registration a month after resumption was not in good faith.

“Earlier this semester, the management of the University of Benin announced that it would put extra charges if school fee was not paid on time and we are saying they should not charge for late payment because the time is not okay.

“The school resumed on Aug. 15 and one month after they began to charge N20,000.

“Our school fees as at the time I was admitted into the university in 2016 was N13,000 for Arts students and N15,000 for Science students.

“In 2018, it was increased to N41,000 for arts and N45,000 for science.

“The N20,000 additional charge is unbearable for the students; though a lot of students have paid their school fees, but those ones that are unable to pay, truly don’t have the money now.

“So, adding extra N20,000 when they have not been able to pay 41,000 is another burden,” he said.

Egwu said since the University’s management had threatened to withdraw studentship of whoever failed to pay, protest to press home their demand was never a bad idea.

“The excess of N20,000 is uncalled for. Before now, what we used to do is no school fees, no examination.

“So, there is no problem about that. What the students are doing is right; protest is not a bad thing. It is a way of appealing, particularly, when they feel cheated.

Egwu said he had talked to the management with the belief that they would heed his call in no distance time.

“Well, I have done my bit. I have spoken with the management and posited my idea on what I feel.

“I believe they heard me and the message is clear. I am expecting the management to act and  I believe they will act in no distance time; there is no need to rush,” the SUG president said.

Efforts to reach the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Bennedicta Ehanire to react to the development was not successful as she neither responded to messages nor picked her calls. (https://newsatlarge.ng)