Group Faults Allegation Of Fee Hike At UniBen

A socio-cultural organisation, the Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, yesterday dismissed rumours circulating about a purported plan by the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to increase school fees, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The group made this known in a press statement insisting that the alleged fee hike was the handiwork of mischief makers.

Addressing journalists, president of the movement, Mr Iyamu Culture, said the clarification became necessary following widespread anxiety among students and parents.

“We are here to state clearly that the vice chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, has not increased school fees, and there was never a plan to do so,” he said.

He said those peddling the rumour were bent on causing panic within the university community, adding that the rumour being spread around was created by mischief makers who do not mean well for the university.

The group warned individuals it described as “trouble fomenters” to steer clear of the institution. Mr Culture stressed that the organisation would not allow distractions to undermine what it called the impressive performance of the current vice chancellor.

The secretary-general of the movement, Mr Osayuki-Osa Benson, noted that the administration of Professor Omoregie had recorded notable progress since his appointment as the 11th vice chancellor in October last year.

He highlighted some of the achievements of the vice chancellor, including the rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure, improvement of learning tools, and the employment of 500 academic and non-academic staff within one year. Benson said these efforts had helped address staff shortages and improve morale.

The secretary-general further stated that Professor Omoregie, a seasoned academic and legal expert, had deployed his experience to transform the institution. “His leadership has continued to prioritise the welfare of both staff and students,” he noted.

The group urged students, staff and stakeholders to continue supporting the vice chancellor’s administrative efforts.