OAU Students Launch 72-Hour Lecture Boycott Over Transportation Crisis
Students at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have taken to the streets in protest and declared a 72-hour lecture boycott, citing severe difficulties in commuting to and from campus. The students blame the university management for poorly implementing a new transportation system linked to vehicles donated by Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Mounting Frustration Leads to Action
According to the Students' Union Government, the decision to boycott lectures from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16, 2026, follows weeks of escalating frustration over mobility challenges that have disrupted academic activities and daily student movement. In a statement co-signed by SU President Adelani David and Secretary-General Habeeb Oke, the union highlighted that repeated engagements with university management have failed to provide immediate relief, despite assurances that the system is in a transitional "teething phase."
Complaints About the New Transport Arrangement
The students argue that the new transportation arrangement, which restricts intra-campus movement to 80 compressed natural gas buses and tricycles donated by the First Lady, has worsened commuting conditions. Key issues include:
- Insufficient vehicles to serve over 35,000 students
- Overcrowding and long waiting times
- Inadequate route coverage across the large campus
- Exclusion of commercial transport operators previously serving parts of campus
One protester expressed dismay, stating, "OAU transport system was near perfect, with adequate buses and bikes. We rarely experienced queues until the First Lady came and decided she didn't like the ease of transportation and introduced 'change' by donating CNG buses." The student added that the management banned all motorcycles and commercial buses, leaving thousands of students dependent on a limited fleet.
Impact on Off-Campus Students
The situation has been particularly harsh for students living in off-campus areas, who now rely on limited and expensive alternatives outside university control. Many report spending almost double the previous amount to reach campus, as alternative transport means have been removed. This has led to students trekking, missing classes, and enduring hours in queues, contrary to management's claims that the buses would "ease transportation."
Demands and Potential Escalation
Among their demands, the students are calling for:
- Provision of more vehicles to adequately serve the student population
- Reinstatement of the previous transport arrangement pending improvements
- Full consultation with student leaders before further policy changes
- A more inclusive and hybrid transport model reflecting student needs
The union has warned that if their concerns are not addressed within the 72-hour window, they may escalate their action to a broader protest. "The leadership shall review the situation at the end of the 72-hour boycott. Further actions such as a possible mass protest/march shall be considered if the management fails to address the demands satisfactorily within this period," the statement read.
University Management's Response
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, did not answer telephone calls. Previously, authorities described the current phase as a transitional period and assured that additional buses would be introduced within months to improve efficiency. However, students insist that conditions remain difficult, prompting the boycott as a pressure measure to highlight their plight.
This development underscores ongoing tensions between student bodies and university administrations over infrastructure and policy implementations affecting daily academic life.
