Lilian Salami Reveals Mob Tore Down Her Chain-Link Fence and Dragged Her Out of Official Residence.

According to The Cable News, Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami, has reflected on her challenging tenure, revealing how she was pelted and coerced by protesting students during a campus demonstration. She recounted the ordeal while speaking on her experiences as she prepares to hand over leadership of the institution.

According to the outgoing VC, the protests reached a climax when her residence was stormed by a mob of students. “By this time, the mob had pulled down my chain-wire fence and dragged me out of my official residence to force me to trek to the main gate,” she recalled. She described how she was compelled to read a prepared script, showcasing the intensity of the students’ discontent.

Despite these challenges, Prof. Salami has been lauded for steering the institution through turbulent times. Her leadership witnessed reforms and initiatives aimed at improving the academic and administrative frameworks at UNIBEN. However, the friction with students often overshadowed her efforts, painting a complex picture of her time in office.

As her tenure ends, the institution’s management has announced the appointment of Prof. Edoba Omoregie, a constitutional law and governance expert, as the new vice-chancellor. The appointment marks a new chapter for UNIBEN, with stakeholders hopeful for improved relations between the administration and students under Omoregie’s leadership.

Prof. Salami’s departure offers an opportunity for reflection on the dynamics of university governance and student engagement. Her experiences underscore the need for more robust dialogue mechanisms to address grievances within academic institutions, fostering mutual understanding and a conducive learning environment.

She said: “By this time, the mob had pulled down my chain-wire fence and dragged me out of my official residence to force me to trek to the main gate.