Unilag Shuts Down Over Students’ Protest

The management of University of Lagos (Unilag) has ordered the immediate and indefinite closure of the institution as students began protest over epileptic power supply and poor water supply.

In a circular issued on Thursday, the management said the closure was also due to the difficulties faced by a ‘large number of students’ living off campus to attend classes as a result of the lingering fuel crisis.

It pointed out that, “Senate noted that the problem of poor municipal service is a national issue that the governments at both state and federal levels are addressing.”

Scores of Unilag’s students on Thursday abandoned classes to protest the lack of water supply and poor electricity on campus, blocking the major road leading into the university, including access to the school’s Senate building and the Assembly Hall where Rahman Bello, the Vice Chancellor, was attending an event.

Few hours later, armed police officers arrived the school, stopped vehicular entrance through the gate, and dispersed the angry students.

‎In the circular, the university management said it was suspending all academic activities on campus to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

The management also ordered the students to vacate their halls of residence immediately.

“A decision to re-open for normal academic activities will be made as soon as municipal services improve,” the circular said.

“All members of the University community are enjoined to go about their normal activities as adequate security measures have been put in place.”