Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), under the aegis of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union (SU), today embarked on a peaceful demonstration to demand the immediate restoration of normal academic and campus life.
The protest, which commenced at 6:00 AM at the university’s main gate, saw large numbers of students marching and chanting as they highlighted pressing welfare challenges affecting their studies and daily movement on campus. The Students’ Union had earlier approved the action at a congress held on Monday at Awo Café.
Key issues raised by the students include:
Transport Crisis: Severe difficulties in intra-campus mobility following the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles. Students reported long queues, extended waiting times, overcrowding, and inadequate coverage of routes, which have disrupted lectures and daily activities.
This situation persists despite the donation of 80 CNG buses and tricycles by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, intended to improve transportation. A previous 72-hour lecture boycott held from April 14 to 16, 2026, was suspended in hopes of resolution, but challenges remain.
Accommodation Concerns: Rejection of a planned mid-semester evacuation of students from Awolowo Hall Blocks 7 and 8 for renovation, citing insufficient notice, poor planning, and the lack of alternative accommodation for affected students.
E-Portal Delays: Ongoing delays in the upgrade of the university’s e-portal, which have prevented many students from registering courses or accessing results several weeks into the semester.
In a statement signed by Students’ Union President Adelani David and General Secretary Habeeb Oke Isa, the union emphasized its commitment to peaceful and orderly protest in line with the longstanding tradition of “Great Ife” students.
“The Students’ Union staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, 28th April, 2026, 6am, with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met. The demonstration shall be conducted peacefully and in line with the known tradition of Great Ife students for orderly and non-violent protests,” the statement read.
The union further urged all students to participate actively and responsibly while calling on the university management to provide “concrete, workable, and immediate solutions” to the identified problems.
“We cannot continue to watch students suffer unnecessarily… The ball is now in the court of the University management to provide concrete, workable, and immediate solutions,” the statement added.
The Students’ Union has maintained that its actions are aimed at restoring normalcy to academic activities and student welfare without resorting to violence.
As of the time of this release, the protest continues peacefully, with students awaiting a swift and satisfactory response from the university authorities.