This morning, both full-time and part-time students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, barricaded the main gate in protest against the University management.
The unrest erupted after Vice‑Chancellor Professor Olowo Samuel refused to authorize examinations for part-time students in three separate instances. As a result, many part-time students have been stuck at the same academic level for over two and a half years, while full-time students have endured five to six months at one level—far beyond the typical three-month semester duration.
Students report that lecturers have not received payment for two years, further compounding the crisis. Scheduled examinations for the current session have been set and canceled three times by the Vice‑Chancellor without explanation. As a consequence, the February–July first semester is still ongoing, with final exams now anticipated only by late July—nearly six months past the norm.
“This delay means one academic session is being stretched over a single semester, leading to budgetary inefficiency in today’s economic climate,” the students said.
They also accused Vice‑Chancellor Olowo and Council Chairman Dan Orbih of manipulating Audit of staff —originally completed earlier by the Obaseki SIT—to target perceived enemies and allow council members to collect ₦500,000 per sitting. If the audit continues for 40 days, it would cost more in allowances than the combined salaries of over 30 professors. Students argue that the audit is beyond the council’s mandate and accuse them of acting like a military-style sole administrator.
Moreover, the campus environment has deteriorated, with overgrown grasses and sightings of reptiles sparking fresh student anger.
Students are now appealing to the Edo State government and Governor Okpebholo Monday to promptly remove this “clueless” management/ council and restore peace, academic order, and fairness to the institution.
Submitted by:
Harry Ebosele and Pedro Iyamu
On behalf of the students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
