Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have blocked major roads in Benin City, in protest against the three-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The students split into teams to obstruct traffic on Ring Road, Uselu Lagos Road, and Uniben Main Gate.
They have been singing solidarity songs since Wednesday morning and are carrying placards with inscriptions like “#EndASSUstrikeNOW” and “Who pays Nigeria students for wasted time, career delay and life plans disruption??”
The President of the UNIBEN Students Union Government (SUG), Foster Amadin has expressed anger at government officials for paying attention to politics and disregarding the plight being faced by students.
He says Wednesday’s protest is in response to ASUU’s change of its action from a warning to an indefinite strike, following the federal government’s failure to reach an agreement with the union.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige who has been leading the government’s negotiation with ASUU has declared his interest to run for president and has been on the campaign trail.
The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba is also running for president.
The UNIBEN Main Gate is a major access road in Benin City, Edo State for persons traveling to and from Nigeria’s East and West.
Traffic usually extends for kilometres anytime the highway is blocked by protesters.
