Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have staged a protest at the Ekheuan Campus following a prolonged power outage and water shortage that left hostels in distress for three consecutive days.
The protest, which began early Saturday morning, saw hundreds of visibly frustrated students barricade the main entrance of the campus, preventing vehicular movement and academic activities from commencing. Placards bearing inscriptions such as “No Water, No Light, No Peace,” and “We Pay Fees, Give Us Basic Amenities” were raised high as chants echoed through the school gate.
Three Days in Darkness and Dry Taps
According to multiple students who spoke during the protest, the crisis began earlier in the week when electricity supply to the campus was cut off. The blackout, they said, was immediately followed by a complete disruption of water supply, leaving thousands of students stranded without access to basic sanitation and comfort.
“We have not had light or water for three days. The hostels are unbearable,” one student lamented. “We pay our fees. We deserve at least the basics — light and water.”
Another protester described the situation as a “health hazard waiting to happen,” noting that bathrooms and toilets in several hostels had become unusable due to lack of water. Students were reportedly forced to fetch water from distant locations outside campus, while others resorted to purchasing sachet water at inflated prices for basic daily needs.
For many residents of Ekheuan Campus hostels, the situation quickly escalated from inconvenience to crisis.
Hostels in Crisis
Inside the hostels, students described unbearable heat due to the power outage and growing sanitation concerns caused by the water shortage.
With no electricity to power fans or charge devices, students said they struggled to sleep at night. Academic work was also reportedly affected, as many could not charge laptops or study in dimly lit conditions.
“The heat alone is enough to drive anyone crazy,” a final-year student said. “Now add no water to bathe, cook, or flush toilets. It’s not something anyone should endure.”
Some students claimed the disruption has become a recurring issue, though this particular outage was said to be more prolonged and severe than usual.
Gate Blocked as Tensions Rise
By mid-morning on Saturday, protesters had completely blocked the campus gate, sitting across the entrance and preventing cars from entering or leaving the premises. The peaceful protest drew attention from passersby and security personnel stationed at the gate.
Videos and photos circulating online showed large crowds gathered at the entrance, with students chanting solidarity songs and demanding immediate restoration of water supply before any negotiations would continue.
Protest leaders insisted that the gate would remain closed until authorities provided concrete assurances and visible action.
“We are not asking for luxury,” one of the coordinators said. “We are asking for light and water — basic things.”
Students Demand Urgent Intervention
The central demand of the protesters was clear: restore electricity and water supply immediately.
Students argued that while infrastructure challenges may occur, a three-day outage without clear communication from the university management was unacceptable. Many complained that there had been little official explanation regarding the cause of the disruption or a timeline for resolution.
Some protesters also called for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes, urging the institution to invest in sustainable water systems and reliable alternative power sources.
“We need a permanent solution,” one student shouted through a megaphone. “Not promises every semester.”
The protest remained largely peaceful, though tension lingered as negotiations continued between student representatives and senior university officials.
As the protest intensified, members of the university’s senior administrative team reportedly engaged student leaders in dialogue in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Sources on campus confirmed that emergency meetings were convened to address the grievances and explore immediate solutions to restore water supply.
While officials did not release a formal statement at the time of reporting, students confirmed that discussions were ongoing.
By afternoon, there were indications that steps were being taken to resolve the water crisis, though protesters insisted they would not disperse until supply was visibly restored.
The Bigger Picture: Infrastructure Strain in Nigerian Campuses
The incident at Ekheuan Campus reflects a broader challenge faced by many tertiary institutions across Nigeria — aging infrastructure struggling to keep pace with growing student populations.
Frequent power interruptions, water system failures, and maintenance backlogs have become recurring concerns in several universities nationwide.
For students, the issue goes beyond comfort; it touches on dignity, health, and academic productivity.
Education experts argue that basic amenities are foundational to learning environments. Without reliable utilities, students face stress, distraction, and reduced academic performance.
News of the protest quickly spread across social media platforms, where photos and videos of the blocked gate began trending locally.
Many users expressed support for the students, arguing that access to water and electricity is a fundamental right within any residential campus. Others urged the university management to prioritize student welfare and communication transparency.
Hashtags referencing UNIBEN and Ekheuan Campus gained traction as discussions unfolded online.
Public health advocates warn that prolonged water shortages in densely populated hostels can increase the risk of sanitation-related illnesses.
Without access to clean water for bathing and toilet facilities, students may face heightened vulnerability to infections and environmental contamination.
Electricity outages also pose safety concerns, especially at night, as poorly lit hostels and walkways can increase security risks.
Students at Ekheuan Campus cited these fears as part of their motivation for taking collective action.
Despite the frustration, many protesters emphasized that their goal was not confrontation but accountability.
“We love our school,” one protester said. “But loving your school doesn’t mean you should suffer in silence.”
Students maintained that blocking the gate was a last resort after days of waiting for intervention.
Some described the protest as a show of unity, noting that students across departments joined the demonstration regardless of faculty or level.
While official confirmation was pending at the time of writing, speculation among students pointed to possible technical faults, unpaid utility bills, or infrastructural breakdowns.
However, protesters insisted that regardless of the cause, communication from management should have been clearer and more timely.
Transparency, they argued, could have reduced tension and possibly prevented the escalation into a full-scale protest.
Lectures and administrative activities were reportedly disrupted due to the gate blockade.
Some students expressed concern about how the crisis might affect academic schedules, particularly for those preparing for examinations or project submissions.
However, the majority of protesters maintained that temporary academic disruption was necessary to secure long-term welfare improvements.
“If we don’t speak now, this will continue,” a student remarked.
What Happens Next?
As negotiations continued into the afternoon, attention turned to whether authorities would swiftly restore water supply and electricity.
Students vowed to remain vigilant even if immediate relief was achieved, stressing the need for sustainable infrastructure improvements.
Observers note that how the university handles the situation may influence campus relations in the coming months.
A Defining Moment for Student Advocacy
Saturday’s protest highlights the enduring power of collective student action in demanding accountability within academic institutions.
Historically, student movements have played significant roles in shaping policy discussions around campus welfare and governance.
For UNIBEN students at Ekheuan Campus, the protest represents more than a reaction to three days without light and water — it reflects a broader call for dignity, transparency, and responsive leadership.
The blockade of Ekheuan Campus gate underscores the urgency of addressing infrastructure challenges within Nigeria’s higher education system.
As senior staff continue talks with student representatives, the campus community awaits tangible solutions.
For now, one message from the protesters rings loud and clear: access to electricity and water is not a privilege — it is a necessity.
Whether this protest leads to lasting reform remains to be seen, but it has undeniably drawn attention to the pressing needs of students determined to make their voices heard.