The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has ordered a three-week mid-semester break following violent protests over ongoing transport and welfare issues on campus.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that the Senate approved the break after student demonstrations severely disrupted academic activities and led to a near-total shutdown of campus life.
“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.
The university management explained that the break was necessary after protests over the introduction of a new transport system escalated into violent demonstrations, blocking key access roads and disrupting movement within the campus. Despite efforts to calm tensions, concerns about student safety and lawlessness continued to rise.
The management further emphasized that the break would allow time to engage with relevant stakeholders and restore order on campus. Students were urged to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the hiatus.
The unrest stemmed from the OAU Students’ Union, which led the protests demanding urgent intervention over several critical issues, including transportation, accommodation, and delays linked to the university’s e-portal upgrade. A congress held earlier at Awo Café approved the peaceful demonstration.
Students sharply criticized the newly introduced intra-campus transport system, which involved compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, for creating long queues and delays. The protests also focused on the planned evacuation of Awolowo Hall and the complications caused by ongoing system upgrades that hindered access to academic services.
The transport overhaul, which followed a donation of buses by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was intended to improve mobility on campus. However, students have voiced dissatisfaction, claiming that the implementation has led to new frustrations, ultimately sparking the protests that resulted in the shutdown