The management of Obafemi Awolowo University has directed students to proceed on a three-week mid-semester break following protests over transportation and welfare issues on campus.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Abiodun Olarewaju, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, the university said the decision was approved by the Senate after student demonstrations escalated.
“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 said.
The management explained that the decision became necessary after protests against a newly introduced transportation system resulted in the blockage of major access roads and harassment of road users.
“Despite efforts to engage and appeal for calm, the situation has continued to pose concerns for the safety and well-being of members of the University community and the public,” the statement added.
According to the university, the break will provide time for dialogue with stakeholders and help restore normalcy on campus. Students were also urged to remain law-abiding during the period.
The development followed a protest by the OAU Students’ Union, during which students marched in large numbers to demand urgent action over transportation difficulties, accommodation concerns, and delays caused by the school’s e-portal upgrade.
A resolution reached at a congress held at Awo Café approved the protest, with the union insisting the action would remain peaceful and focused on restoring favourable conditions for students.
“The demonstration shall be conducted peacefully… with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met,” the resolution stated.
Students also criticised the planned mid-semester evacuation from Awolowo Hall and the ongoing e-portal upgrade, which they said had disrupted course registration and access to results several weeks into the semester.
The protest came amid complaints of long queues and delays after the introduction of compressed natural gas-powered buses for intra-campus transportation.
The transport changes followed the donation of buses by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to improve mobility within the university.
However, students said the implementation created fresh challenges, leading to tensions that eventually resulted in the protest and temporary shutdown.
