Health workers at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have accused the institution’s management of intimidation and harassment after demanding payment of their unpaid salaries and long-overdue entitlements.
Staff allege that Dr. Imuwahen Mbaire, Director of Health Services, responded to their peaceful inquiries with threats and summoned university security, leading to interrogations and detentions.
“We are not criminals,” a distraught health worker said. “We only asked for our rightful earnings.”
Despite years of dedicated service, including emergency care and student support, staff say they have endured repeated broken promises from the university. A meeting in March 2025 with the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor Edoba Omoregie, briefly sparked hope—yet no payments had been made as of April.
A memo dated April 10, 2025, from the Security Department formally summoned a staff member for questioning without disclosing the nature of the investigation. Workers view this as an attempt to silence them, accusing management of weaponizing fear and bypassing due process.
Sources lamented the emotional toll, urging the university to uphold fairness and justice in an institution that teaches law and democracy.
