• Warns Against Violence
Form our Correspondent, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has received the students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma and others who were recently released after they were arrested, in connection with the Ekpoma protest.
Okpebholo assured them of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reform and the overall development of the University and the State.
Patrick Ebojele PhD, chief press secretary to the Governor made this known in a press release circulated amongst journalists in Benin, the State Capital, on Thursday, 15 January, 2026.
The Governor received the released students and others during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin City.
Ebojele said the event brought together students of the Ambrose Alli University, government officials and other critical stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Okpebholo said he was deeply pained by the violent turn of the protest, particularly given his strong commitment to the revival of the Ambrose Alli University.
“I was highly in pain when I saw what was happening in my place. The day I was sworn in, I said I was going to revive Ambrose Alli University.
“They were paying light bill, water, printing, salaries and everything from ₦41 million, and ₦41 million is not enough for anything at all.
“But on record, one consultant was receiving ₦59 million under the last administration, while the entire University community was receiving ₦41 million.”
Governor Okpebholo asserts he increased the University’s monthly subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million immediately after assuming office, as part of deliberate efforts to reposition the institution.
“Since then, it has been about how to revive the school, how to move the school forward and how to reposition it again.”
Further, he revealed that outstanding salaries and wage arrears owed to the University’s staff members amount to about ₦41 billion, and his administration is working out modalities to gradually offset the debt.
Continuing, Governor Okpebholo cautioned the students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements, urging they should be focused on their studies.
“Somebody said he is a student and he protests. What are you protesting for? Don’t allow yourself to be used! Read your books so that you can be like us.”
Acknowledging the security challenges facing Ekpoma and other parts of the country, he pointed out that insecurity is a collective problem that requires collective responsibility.
“The same way you are afraid of your life, it is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody, so it is a common problem we all have.”
The Governor however, told the gathering that investigations by security agencies revealed many of those involved in criminal activities around Ekpoma, were indigenes of the area.
“Most of the incidents of the people kidnapping in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security operatives went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives from Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is.”
But the Governor would not applaud the destruction of shops and looting of properties during the protest, saying it was counterproductive.
“Things are not moving, people are hungry, and you are burning shops and destroying properties. If they were yours, would you be happy?”
Appealing to the students and youths to embrace peace and constructive engagement, he assured that criminals would not be allowed to have a hiding place in Edo State.
“We have to work for Edo. Some of you may be innocent, but criminals will not have a hiding place in our State.”
Essence of peaceful engagement
Emphasising the importance and invaluable benefits of peaceful engagement in human societies, the Governor cited the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin–Auchi road as an example.
He explained, shortly after he brought a proposal to the attention of the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the road was awarded at the cost of about ₦135 billion.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu showered praises on the Governor for his swift intervention, commitment to education and his decision to facilitate the release of the arrested students.
In the same vein, other speakers commended the Governor for choosing dialogue over force and for prioritising the welfare of students and the University community.
The meeting was attended by the deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu; Minister of Youths; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Engagement; and other top government officials.
The stakeholders’ engagement marked a major step towards reconciliation, peace-building and renewed cooperation between the State Government, and the Ambrose Alli University community after the Ekpoma crisis, it was stated.
