By Njoku Jennifer
The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has given business occupants owing electricity bills since April 2025 an ultimatum to pay up or vacate the premises.
The management also uncovered plans by some of these occupants to create chaos within the university premises, allegedly instigated by certain staff members who were found to be undisclosed renters of the business spaces.
The management condemned these illegal actions and activities, describing them as unlawful and unacceptable within the university environment. It further warned that such acts must cease immediately or face serious consequences.
Since the university migrated to the “Band A Electricity Billing System” by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), its monthly electricity bill has risen significantly. This has left business owners and residents distressed, as they have been paying charges on meters installed more than ten years ago.
After careful evaluation, the university’s management resolved to discard the old billing system, which had been in place for a long time, and implement a new payment structure to promote growth and development within the university premises.
While some law-abiding residents and business occupants have complied with the new arrangement and have been advised to continue their lawful operations without fear or intimidation, others have resisted, refusing to comply with the management’s directive to pay their bills in instalments.
The management has given a deadline for the payment of the first instalment, set for 31st August 2025, with full payment required by the end of November 2025.
It also stated that any business occupant who fails to meet the stipulated deadline will be ejected from the university premises.