The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has indicated its willingness to engage student leaders in dialogue over ongoing transportation challenges affecting campus mobility.
This comes after students, under the Students’ Union Government (SUG), commenced a 72-hour lecture boycott in protest against what they described as an ineffective and poorly executed campus transport system. The action, which runs from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16, 2026, follows a resolution reached during a congress held on April 9.
In a statement jointly signed by SUG President Adelani David and Secretary-General Habeeb Oke, students said the boycott was driven by weeks of frustration over transportation difficulties. According to them, the situation has disrupted academic activities and made movement across campus increasingly difficult.
The union highlighted key issues such as a shortage of vehicles, overcrowding, long waiting times, and poor route coverage. Students living off-campus were said to be the most affected, as they now depend on limited and often expensive transport options outside the university system.
Despite previous discussions with the university management, the students noted that there had been no immediate improvement, even as authorities described the transport system as still being in its early stages.
Reacting to the development, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, assured that the management is open to resolving the issues through dialogue.
He appreciated the contribution of Oluremi Tinubu, noting that the institution had received 50 buses and 30 tricycles, which he said are functioning effectively. He, however, appealed to students to remain calm and allow due process.
Olarewaju described the situation as a “family matter,” stressing that the university would meet with student representatives to address all concerns and explain the rationale behind current policies.
He also reiterated the university’s stance on restricting commercial motorcycles (okada) within the campus, explaining that the move was aimed at ensuring student safety while maintaining order.
The management expressed optimism that ongoing discussions would lead to a mutually beneficial resolution and improve transportation within the university community.
