Ebonyi State University Shut Down Over Students’ Protest

State authority on Thursday announced the closure of the Ebonyi state University (EBSU) Abakaliki over the multiple protests that had plagued the institution since the commencement of this year’s academic session by the students who are demanding a reduction in tuition fees.

While making this announcement over the state radio, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Francis Idike said it was necessary considering the tension the protesting students had created across the state. He argued that if the institution was not closed immediately it might lead to a new wave of insecurity in the state.

EBSU students recently grounded economic activities in the state during a protest that saw them engaging anti-riot policemen in bloody face off, which was coming barely two weeks after similar protest.

The students, who came under heavy teargas attack from men of the Nigerian Police in the state, were protesting alleged hike in their tuition fees as a bus belonging to the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution was allegedly burnt down by the angry students.

Following these violent protests, the Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi directed the management of the institution to immediately shut down the University. He added that the institution would be shut down as long as necessary so as to allow peace and tranquillity to reign in the state.

Mr Elechi, who gave this directive during a town hall meeting with his Commissioners, local government Chairmen and other stakeholders at Women Development Centre, Abakaliki alleged that the violent acts exhibited by the protesting students could have been influenced by yet-to-be determined factors and persons in the state.

The Governor further explained that education was neither free nor cheap anywhere and that the University authority, as the manager of the institution was in the best position to determine what fees should be paid by students of the institution.

The angry students alleged that they are being forced to pay school fees between N88, 000 (for indigenes) and N130, 000 (for non-indigenes) depending on one’s department.