UNIBEN students, youths shut down Benin-Lagos expressway over rising hardship

Hundreds of angry youths on Wednesday blocked the ever-busy Benin-Lagos Expressway in protest against what they described as worsening economic hardship across the country.

The protesters, largely made up of students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and other youths in Benin metropolis, barricaded both sides of the highway using heavy logs, parked vehicles, and burning tyres. Bonfires were also set on different sections of the road, bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt.

The action resulted in severe gridlock, leaving thousands of motorists and commuters stranded for hours. Commercial buses, private cars, and articulated vehicles were trapped in the traffic jam, while many passengers were forced to alight and trek long distances to reach their destinations within Benin City.

Some travelers reportedly turned back in search of alternative routes to avoid being caught in the standstill, while transport operators lamented the disruption to their business activities.

The protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “No to petrol hike,” “No to bad roads,” and “APC must go,” among others. They said the demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to the rising cost of living, persistent fuel price increases, poor road infrastructure, epileptic power supply, and the soaring prices of food items.

Speaking in a video that later went viral on social media, one of the protesters said the demonstration was a cry for help from frustrated citizens.

“There is hardship in this country, and the governments are doing nothing about it,” he said. “We are tired of the promises. Our parents are suffering, students are starving, and the road is the only place they will hear us. The protest is to draw the attention of the government to our plight. We are calling on the government at all levels to act quickly before things get out of hand.”

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Observers described the protest as a reflection of growing frustration among young Nigerians, particularly students who are grappling with increasing living expenses and limited economic opportunities.

They noted that the economic strain appears to be hitting harder, with many youths feeling disconnected from political leadership and dissatisfied with efforts to address their concerns.

As of the time of filing this report, security operatives were monitoring the situation, while efforts were ongoing to restore normalcy and ease traffic along the busy corridor.