The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has approved the participation of all students in the ongoing first semester examinations for the 2025/2026 academic session, regardless of their registration status or payment of school charges.
The decision followed an emergency virtual meeting of Provosts, Deans and Directors held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, where university authorities reviewed discrepancies in students’ registration records.
During the meeting, management observed a significant gap between the number of students who had paid school fees and those who had completed course registration. Data presented revealed a ratio of approximately three to one, prompting concerns about the potential impact on the conduct of examinations.
To address the situation, the university resolved to adopt measures that would prevent students from being unfairly excluded from the examination process while ensuring proper identification and academic integrity.
According to the resolutions, all students will be allowed to sit for the examinations, and no student should be barred on the basis of incomplete registration or unpaid school charges. Faculties and schools have also been directed to establish internal mechanisms to verify the eligibility of candidates and prevent examination malpractice.
The university further issued specific guidelines to support identification during the examination, particularly for newly admitted students who may not yet have matriculation numbers.
Fresh students using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets have been instructed to correctly shade their matriculation numbers for identification. Those yet to receive matriculation numbers are to leave the first column blank and proceed to shade their unique student identification numbers.
In a circular dated March 16, 2026, and issued from the Office of the Registrar, the university assured students that the measures were put in place to ensure a smooth and inclusive examination process while administrative issues relating to registration are being addressed.
The circular was signed by Mrs. C. I. Ehigiator, Director of Senate Matters, on behalf of the Registrar, Ademola A. Bobola. Copies were circulated to key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, the University Librarian and the Students’ Union leadership.
The management expressed confidence that the examination exercise would proceed without disruption and urged students and staff to comply with all directives to ensure a credible and orderly process.
