The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Prof. Sunday Samuel, has approved clemency for final-year students whose examinations were canceled on January 29, 2025.
The cancellation followed a wave of wild jubilation on campus, which the university described as a gross violation of its directives.
AAU’s Spokesman, Otunba Mike Aladenika, disclosed the decision on Thursday.
The university management had accused the graduating students of engaging in disruptive activities, including a car parade, blaring sirens, spraying money, shouting, and blocking access roads within the campus.
AAU’s Acting Registrar, Ephraim Isiroaje, explained that the punitive measure was initially intended as a deterrent to other graduating students yet to complete their exams.
He also noted that the affected students, primarily from the Faculty of Arts—Departments of Mass Communication, English, and History and International Studies—ignored prior memos prohibiting such celebrations on campus.
He said: “The university’s management, at an emergency meeting, resolved to invoke the extant laws on wild jubilation/celebration, thereby cancelling all the final-year examinations written on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, including, but not limited to, the following: ELS 41I, MAC 414 and IIIS 416.
“The management shall decide in due course when such canceled examinations shall be rescheduled.”
Our reporter gathered in Benin that critical stakeholders within and outside the state pleaded with the management of AAU, Ekpoma, to temper justice with mercy, which was later considered by the university’s authorities.
