‘We’re Not Criminals’: University Of Benin Health Workers Decry Intimidation Over Unpaid Salaries, Broken Promises
The allegations, made against the institution’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Imuwahen Mbaire, include claims of security threats, unlawful interrogations, and a growing culture of fear — all for daring to demand what they say is rightfully theirs.
Health workers at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Health Centre have accused the university’s management of harassment and intimidation after demanding payment of their withheld salaries and long-overdue entitlements.
The allegations, made against the institution’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Imuwahen Mbaire, include claims of security threats, unlawful interrogations, and a growing culture of fear — all for daring to demand what they say is rightfully theirs.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on Saturday, a source within the university detailed years of quiet suffering endured by the health personnel, who have continued to offer vital services to students and staff despite unpaid benefits and repeated broken promises from the university’s management.
“For years, health workers at the UNIBEN Health Centre carried on with dedication — treating students, caring for emergencies, and sacrificing personal comfort to keep the university’s heartbeat steady,” the source said.
“But behind the white coats and calm voices was pain — salaries withheld, entitlements unpaid, and promises broken.”
According to the source, in March 2025, a meeting with university management under the leadership of newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Edoba Omoregie rekindled hope among the workers.
“We were assured by the Vice Chancellor himself: ‘You will be paid.’ There was a wave of optimism. People believed again,” the source said.
However, the optimism quickly turned into despair as April arrived without disbursement.
“Not a kobo was paid. No explanation. Just the familiar silence and the growing weight of betrayal,” the source added.
Sensing that their rightful payments might have been diverted or deliberately delayed, the health workers approached the university’s Registry to seek clarification — a move made, according to multiple accounts, with civility and restraint.
“We didn’t protest with banners or chants,” another source told SaharaReporters. “We approached them with quiet dignity. We only wanted answers.”
Instead of receiving those answers, the workers said they were intimidated.
“The Director of Health Services, Dr. Imuwahen Mbaire, accused us of planning a protest,” the source revealed. “She didn’t try to mediate. She called security.”
What followed, according to eyewitness accounts, was a disturbing escalation.
“Suddenly, these everyday heroes became suspects,” the source recounted.
“They were summoned by the university’s security department, detained, interrogated, grilled for hours — as though demanding one’s due was now a crime at UNIBEN.”
Another source described the emotional toll of the ordeal.
“With a trembling voice, one of our colleagues asked: ‘Where in the Constitution is fighting for our rights prohibited? We are not criminals. This is our hard-earned entitlement — our right,’” the source said.
“In a university that teaches law, democracy, and justice, these health workers were told they had no right to ask questions, no right to demand fairness — only to wait in silence or go through a union that had long failed them.”
Meanwhile, in a letter of invitation dated April 10, 2025, from the Security Department, Vice Chancellor’s Office, University of Benin, Benin City, and referenced SDUB/CRM/75/VOL.2/63, the Head of the Investigation Unit, E.O. Obanor (DCSO), formally invited a staff member of the Health Services Division to appear in connection with an ongoing inquiry.
According to the memo, Obanor stated: “The Investigation Unit of the Security Department is currently investigating a case in which you are involved.”
The letter further directed the recipient to present themselves for questioning: “By this memo, we implore you to make yourself available to meet with the undersigned Security Officer at the Investigation Unit on Friday, 11th April 2025, at 10:00 a.m. prompt, to enable us to conclude our investigation.”
However, the nature of the case being investigated was not disclosed in the letter.
