By Adedoyin Oguntade
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state has declared a three-week mid-semester break following protests by students over the institution’s newly introduced transportation system.
In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the decision was approved by the university’s Senate after demonstrations on campus escalated into what it described as unruly conduct.
According to the statement, the protests led to the obstruction of major access roads and the harassment of other road users, raising concerns about the safety of members of the university community and the general public.
“Despite efforts to engage and appeal for calm, the situation has continued to pose concerns for safety and well-being,” the statement noted.
The university said the break, which takes immediate effect, is intended to restore order, ensure safety and create an enabling environment for dialogue between management and relevant stakeholders.
During the period, the management said it would continue consultations aimed at addressing the concerns raised by students and restoring normalcy on campus.
Parents and guardians were advised to make necessary arrangements for their children, while students were urged to remain law-abiding and use the period responsibly.
How the protest unfolded
The protest began early Tuesday morning, as students converged at the university’s main gate to express grievances over the new transport system and the planned eviction of residents of Awo Hall for renovation.
The decision to protest followed an emergency congress held on Monday evening at Awo Café, where students resolved to escalate their actions after earlier measures failed to yield results.
These measures included a 72-hour lecture boycott and a subsequent 48-hour ultimatum issued to the university management.
On Tuesday, protesters locked the campus gate, halting vehicular movement while chanting solidarity songs and calling on the authorities to address their concerns.
Placards bearing messages such as “New system of transport is not working,” “Save OAU now, fix the transport system,” and “Students are the biggest stakeholders, listen to us” among others were displayed as the protest intensified.
DevReporting observed that the newly introduced compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and tricycles were not in operation, as they were parked around the campus.
Union counters management, insists protest was peaceful
Contrary to the management’s allegations, the Students’ Union maintained that the protest remained strictly within the Campus Gate axis and, at no point, extended to any major road or disrupted public traffic beyond the immediate university vicinity.
The union in a statement signed by its president, Adelani Oluwatodimu reiterated that the exercise was orderly, controlled, and devoid of violence, harassment, or any form of misconduct.
“Union leadership was fully present throughout to ensure proper coordination and adherence to the principles of peaceful engagement. The Students’ Union therefore finds it deeply concerning and misrepresentative that the management’s statement characterises the protest as “unruly” and alleges obstruction of major access roads, as well as harassment of road users. These claims do not reflect the reality of what transpired.”
The union also submit that the decision to mandate a mid-semester break with immediate effect raises serious questions about the university’s commitment to student welfare and constructive engagement.
“Sending students home for peacefully agitating for better living and learning conditions sets a troubling precedent and may be interpreted as an attempt to suppress legitimate student voices.
“Our position remains clear. We seek not confrontation, but fairness, accountability, and practical solutions,” the statement reads, urging all students to remain calm, law-abiding, and united as they continue to pursue a resolution that safeguards the interests and dignity of the student body.
Background to the dispute
The protest is the latest in a series of actions by the Students’ Union following the introduction of a new transport arrangement by the university management.
Nigeria’s first lady had donated 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and 30 tricycles to the university to alleviate transportation challenges on campus.
However, students say the rollout has disrupted movement on campus, particularly after the removal of ‘Towngboro’ buses and commercial motorcycles (okada), which previously provided quicker and more flexible transport options, especially for off-campus students
DevReporting earlier reported that the Students’ Union embarked on a 72-hour lecture boycott over high fares, long queues and difficult movement across campus.
On 25 April, the union issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding immediate and practical solutions to the transport challenges, as well as a reversal of what it described as the “ill-timed evacuation” of students from Awo Hall blocks seven and eight for renovation.
The union categorically rejected the implementation of such an evacuation without adequate notice, proper planning, or provision of alternative accommodation for affected students.
Also, the union criticised the ongoing upgrades to the university’s e-portal, noting that many students had been unable to register for courses or access their results weeks into the semester.
