OAU students demand normalcy, protest transport crisis, others

The vibrant campus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was once again the scene of student unrest as the Students' Union organized a protest on Tuesday, demanding urgent attention to a host of pressing welfare and academic concerns. This demonstration, rooted in a tradition of student activism at the renowned institution, reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs on campus.

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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 protesters, numbering in the large crowds seen in circulating videos, marched peacefully, chanting their grievances and insisting on their goal: to "have their lives back to normal." The protest was formally approved following a congress meeting, with the union leadership, including SU President Adelani David and SU General Secretary Habeeb Oke Isa, emphasizing a commitment to orderly and non-violent action, in line with the 'Great Ife' students' tradition.

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The demonstration shall be conducted peacefully and in line with the known tradition of Great Ife students for orderly and non-violent protests.

Several critical issues fueled this demonstration. Students are grappling with significant transportation challenges and inadequate accommodation, which directly impact their daily lives and academic pursuits. Furthermore, the ongoing e-portal upgrade has caused considerable disruption, with students unable to register for courses or access results weeks into the semester. The union also voiced strong opposition to the mid-semester evacuation of students from Awolowo Hall for renovations, deeming the plan poorly timed and lacking provision for alternative housing.

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The Union categorically rejected the implementation of such an evacuation without adequate notice, proper planning, or the provision of alternative accommodation for affected students.

As journalists at The Punch, we observe that while the university management is urged to provide "concrete, workable, and immediate solutions," the students' patience is clearly wearing thin. This protest is not merely about isolated incidents; it's a collective cry for improved living and learning conditions that befit a university of OAU's stature. The students' demand for normalcy is a powerful statement about their right to a conducive educational environment, free from the daily struggles that currently plague their campus experience. This situation highlights a recurring theme in Nigerian higher education: the critical need for effective management and student-centric policies.

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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.