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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, yesterday, refuted recent online reports, which claimed that students of the institution protested over exam delays, unpaid salaries for lecturers and inaction by the university administration.
Addressing members of the Correspondents Chapel in Benin City, the Principal Assistant Registrar/Head of Information & Public Relations of the University, Mike Aladenika, described the claims as a false narrative being peddled by mischief makers’ intent on undermining the university’s reputation for personal gains.
He explained that what occurred at the main gate of the institution was not a protest but a gathering of part-time students from the Directorate of Sciences and Humanities (DSH), who sought clarification on their academic programmes.
“What happened that day was not a protest, but a gathering of part-time students, who wanted to know their academic positions, but the management promptly responded to their concerns, providing further information and assurances that satisfied the students. There was no protest that warranted tension in the university, contrary to the erroneous report,” he said, alleging that those behind the online publication were previously instrumental to bringing about the now-defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT) regime, and may be attempting to reignite tensions to destabilise the current administration.
Mr. Aladenika further explained that the current administration, led by acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunday Olowo Samuel, inherited a deeply troubled part-time programme beset with challenges, including uncleared staff claims and delayed examinations, saying that the issues were largely as a result of poor funding over the past eight years and restrictive policies imposed by the SIT.
He, however, stated that despite the obstacles, the administration had recorded substantial achievements in revitalising the Directorate of Sciences and Humanities, while the 2022/2023 first semester lectures, delayed by 11 months, commenced in March 2024 and were concluded with examinations in January 2025, and that the second semester followed from February 26 to May 2, paving the way for the commencement of a new academic session.
Besides, he disclosed that the institution had implemented a new result release policy, highlighting interventions by the Edo State Government.
“By implementing these changes, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, demonstrates its commitment to improving academic processes and student experience. Beyond the faculties and departments sourcing alternative power supplies, the state government has announced plans to provide a 1.5-megawatt alternative power supply to support all sectors of our main campus. Additionally, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will be installing a solar plant, a testament to our university’s prominence in the South-South region. Notably, Ambrose Alli University is the sole beneficiary of this initiative in the region.
“The Computer-Based Examinations (CBEs) for 100 level students of the Directorate of Science and Humanities were processed and released within one week. All results for the 2023/2024 academic session are now available online.”
Mr. Aladenika also announced that the university has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese University for knowledge transfer and partnership, saying that the partnership would enhance the institution’s academic and research capabilities.
