By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has directed students to proceed on a three-week mid-semester break following students’ protests over transportation and welfare concerns on campus.
The institution announced the directive in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 28, by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
The university said the decision was approved by the Senate after demonstrations by students escalated.
“The Senate of the University has approved that the students proceed on a mid-semester break for a period of three weeks, with immediate effect,” the statement read.
According to the university’s management, the action became necessary after protests over a newly introduced transportation system led to the obstruction of major access roads and harassment of road users.
“Despite efforts to engage and appeal for calm, the situation has continued to pose concerns for the safety and well-being of members of the University community and the public,” the statement added.
The university noted that the break would allow time for dialogue with stakeholders and restoration of normalcy on campus, and urged students to remain law-abiding during the period.
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Recall that the OAU Students’ Union called for a protest, with students marching in large numbers and demanding urgent action over transportation challenges, accommodation issues, and delays linked to the school’s e-portal upgrade.
The demonstration was approved in a resolution from a congress held at Awo Café, with the students’ union insisting it would be peaceful and aimed at restoring normal conditions for students.
“The demonstration shall be conducted peacefully… with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met,” the resolution stated.
Students had also criticised the planned mid-semester evacuation from Awolowo Hall and the ongoing e-portal upgrade, which they said disrupted course registration and access to results weeks into the semester.
The protest follows complaints over long queues and delays following the introduction of compressed natural gas-powered buses for intra-campus transport.
The CNG-powered buses were donated by Oluremi Tinubu, aimed at improving mobility within the university.
However, students said the implementation created challenges, including long queues, leading to tensions that culminated in the protest and subsequent shutdown by the university’s management.
