The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has shut down the school for three weeks following protests by students over transportation and welfare concerns on campus.
In a Tuesday statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the university said the decision was approved by the Senate after demonstrations by students 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 read.
The management said the action became necessary after protests over a newly introduced transportation system led to the obstruction 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,” it added.
The university said the break would allow time for dialogue with stakeholders and restoration of normalcy on campus, urging students to remain law-abiding during the period.
The development follows a protest by the OAU Students’ Union, where students marched in large numbers demanding urgent action on transportation challenges, accommodation issues, and delays linked to the school’s e-portal upgrade.
A resolution from a congress held at Awo Café had approved the demonstration, with the union insisting it would be peaceful and aimed at restoring normal 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 had also criticised the planned mid-semester evacuation from Awolowo Hall and the ongoing e-portal upgrade, which they said disrupted course registration and access to results weeks into the semester.
The protest came amid complaints over long queues and delays following the introduction of compressed natural gas-powered buses for intra-campus transport.
The transport changes followed the donation of buses by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, aimed at improving mobility within the university.
However, students said the implementation created fresh challenges, triggering tensions that culminated in the protest and subsequent shutdown.
