UNIBEN Lecturers to Boycott April 28 Resumption, Citing Insecurity and Violent Attacks

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Benin in Edo State has declared that it will not participate in the resumption of academic activities scheduled for April 28, citing serious security concerns on campus. 

The union has described the decision for its members to resume under current conditions as both suicidal and risky due to ongoing unrest and threats to faculty safety.

Recent events have heightened fears among the academic staff, particularly following the brutal attack on Dr. Presley Osemwengie, a lecturer in the Department of Economics and an active member of the ASUU at the University of Benin.

"This attack occurred during an interactive session with Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata on April 12. Dr. Osemwengie was assaulted by individuals including members of the Executive Committee of the University of Benin Students Union, led by their president. The assault, carried out with a small axe that struck Dr. Osemwengie in the back of the head, left him severely injured and bleeding profusely.

In response to this incident and the general climate of insecurity, Ray Chikogu and Success Abusomwan, the Chairman and Secretary of the UNIBEN ASUU respectively, issued a formal statement to the press. They outlined the sequence of violent incidents, including the attempted murder of Dr. Osemwengie. The statement emphasized that such acts of violence against faculty members were part of a troubling pattern that started with the assault on the current Vice Chancellor in September 2021. This particular incident involved the Vice Chancellor being forcibly marched from her residence to the university's Main Gate in a humiliating and hostile manner.

"The statement from ASUU further noted that there have been several other instances where students, sometimes assisted by non-students, have threatened and attacked lecturers. "Such a hostile environment, they argue, makes it impossible for faculty members to effectively carry out their duties in teaching and research.

Given these circumstances, the ASUU at the University of Benin has made it clear that it cannot in good conscience expose its members to such dangers without assurances of their safety.

"The union has therefore called on the university administration to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the security of its staff and to foster an environment conducive to learning and academic excellence.

"The statement concludes by detailing the resolutions from a recent ASUU meeting, which include a strong condemnation of the violent and disruptive actions by students, whether acting individually or under the guise of student unionism. The union emphasizes that without significant improvements in campus security and a clear plan to prevent future incidents, its members will not resume academic duties, even if it means delaying the start of the upcoming academic session.

This stand by the ASUU reflects a broader concern about the safety and well-being of academic staff in Nigerian universities, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to protect educators from violence and intimidation. The situation at the University of Benin serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by educational institutions in ensuring a safe and productive academic environment.