The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, has ordered reopening of the university barely 24hours after management shut down the school following protest by students over introduction of N20,000 late registration fee.
Prof. Salami also apologized to the protesting students, saying the institution acted on security report to have ordered closure of academic activities.
The apology was contained in an internal circular signed by University’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola.
According to the circular, the management urged the students to disregard the closure order issued on Tuesday.
Top officials of the institution confirmed the development under strict condition of anonymity on Wednesday.
The two-page paragraph statement reads; “After due consultation, and in the overall interest of the general students’ body, the Vice Chancellor has, on behalf of Senate, apologized to our dear students.
“This is based on security reports from the Department of State Security (DSS) to avoid the students’ action being hijacked by hoodlums; and thereby prevent any form of breakdown of law and order within and outside the campuses of the University.”
It was, however, not clear if the institution has rescinded the N20,000 extra charges imposed on late payment of school fees by the new directive.

The protesting students had defied the University’s management’s order to vacate their hostels before they received the institution’s directive.