The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has officially declared Wednesday, 21st January 2026, a lecture-free day across all academic units. The announcement was made in a circular issued by the Registrar, Mr. Ademola A. Bobola, on behalf of the University administration.

This decision is to enable full participation of the university community in the 2026 UNIBEN Annual Research Conference and Innovation Fair, organised by the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID). The event, themed “Research, Innovation & Enterprise: Positioning UNIBEN for National Development and Global Relevance”, is scheduled to hold from Tuesday 20th to Wednesday 21st January 2026 at the Akin Deko Auditorium, starting at 9:00 AM daily.

According to the circular, the approval for the lecture-free day was granted by the Vice Chancellor following a request from the Director of DRID. The aim is to ensure focused participation and to maximise the institutional benefits of the conference, which is described as a key initiative to strengthen research impact, innovation, and commercialisation within the university.

The event is expected to attract academic staff, researchers, innovators, and postgraduate students. Members of the university community have been urged to note the development and disseminate the information across all Faculties, Schools, and Institutes for necessary compliance.

The circular was copied to key university officials, including the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors, the Bursar, the University Librarian, Provosts, Deans, Directors, and the President of the Students’ Union.