OAU Students Protest Transport, E-Portal Challenges as Management Convenes Emergency Senate Meeting

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday April 28, 2026 staged a protest over multiple concerns, including the ongoing transport crisis and the planned renovation of Awolowo Hall, significantly disrupting activities across the campus.

The protest followed resolutions reached at an emergency congress held at Awolowo Hall Cafeteria on Monday, April 27, where students outlined challenges affecting their academic and daily lives.

At the heart of the protest is students’ dissatisfaction with a recently introduced transport system, which students say has led to longer waiting times, overcrowding, and increased costs. Students also raised concerns about the university’s e-portal, citing difficulties with course registration, fee payments, and access to academic records following a recent upgrade.

In addition, tensions around the planned renovation of Awolowo Hall of Residence contributed to growing concerns, with students questioning the timing and implementation of the project. Union leaders say these issues collectively reflect deeper concerns about student welfare and access to essential services on campus.

What began as a warning protest quickly escalated. Students marched from Awo Café through various halls of residence, chanting solidarity songs and calling for immediate action. By early Tuesday morning, protesters regrouped at the Students’ Union Building before proceeding to the university’s main gate, where they blocked access, restricting movement into and out of the campus.

The protest later extended to major routes, including Road 1 and parts of Ede Road, drawing participation from students, commercial drivers, and other observers.

Management Responds, Calls Emergency Meeting

In response to the unfolding situation, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University convened an emergency Senate meeting to deliberate on the crisis.

A notice issued by the University’s Senate Division confirmed that the meeting was scheduled for 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 28, to consider a “report on the current situation on campus.” 

Earlier, the university also issued a statement titled “New Transportation System in OAU: No Cause for Alarm,” signed by its spokesperson, Abiodun Olarenwaju.

The statement maintained that the transport system was introduced following consultations with student representatives and transport operators, adding that waiting time does not exceed ten minutes at peak periods. It further noted that the Vice-Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, had directed the deployment of additional buses and was engaging private partners to improve services.

Conflicting Positions

In a separate statement, the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) criticised the protest, accusing the Students’ Union of misinforming students and warning against blocking university gates and access roads.

The Students’ Union, however, rejected the claims, insisting that its actions were based on resolutions reached at congress and reflected the lived experiences of students. Union leaders also maintained that the protest would remain peaceful while pressing for urgent intervention.

As the protest continued, the Students’ Union President, Adelani David, addressed demonstrators, stating that management was aware of their demands and that engagement was ongoing.

He announced that the renovation of Awolowo Hall had been postponed until after the semester and declared a temporary suspension of academic activities pending resolution of the issues. Despite this, students continued their demonstration, insisting that tangible action must be taken before normal activities resume.

As of now, no official outcome from the emergency Senate meeting has been released.