OAU students protest transport crisis, poor welfare, demand urgent reforms
Students Protest at Obafemi Awolowo University Over Welfare and Academic Issues
ILE-IFE, Osun State – Students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) staged a protest on Tuesday morning, demanding urgent solutions to persistent welfare and academic issues affecting the university community.
Organized by the Students’ Union, hundreds of students gathered near the institution’s main gate, chanting and holding placards. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the demonstration remained peaceful throughout its duration.
The protest followed a resolution approved during a congress held on Monday at Awo Café, where union members agreed to take action in light of ongoing challenges. In a joint statement from Students’ Union President Adelani David and General Secretary Habeeb Oke Isa, the leadership affirmed their commitment to a non-violent demonstration.
“The Students’ Union staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6 a.m., with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met,” the statement read. It further emphasized the importance of maintaining order and peace during the protest.
Students were encouraged to participate responsibly and to express their grievances without resorting to violence.
The protest highlights growing student dissatisfaction over issues including transportation, accommodation, and technical delays related to the university’s ongoing e-portal upgrade. The union expressed concerns about the potential evacuation of students from Awolowo Hall Blocks 7 and 8 for renovation, criticizing the timing and lack of prior planning or alternative arrangements for affected students.
“The Union categorically rejected the implementation of such an evacuation without adequate notice, proper planning, or the provision of alternative accommodation for affected students,” the statement noted.
In addition, the union condemned the ongoing e-portal upgrade, which has hindered many students’ ability to register for courses or access academic results several weeks into the semester. The Students’ Union reiterated the need for prompt intervention from university management to address these issues and restore normalcy on campus.
