The Awo Times

NANS STORMS OAU, BLOCKS CAMPUS GATE AMID ESCALATING CRISIS; MEETS MANAGEMENT By Goodness Olope and Daniel Ajanaku  Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, on Wednesday, 29th April, 2026, stormed Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, blocking the campus gate and disrupting vehicular movement in and out of the institution in what they described as an intervention in the ongoing student crisis. The action, which began at about 9:00 a.m., followed the University’s directive ordering students to vacate halls of residence before 7:00 a.m. the same day, after the declaration of a three-week mid-semester break. The break was approved by the University Senate in response to protests by students over a newly introduced transportation system and concerns surrounding accommodation, particularly the planned renovation of block 7 & 8 of Awolowo Hall. In its earlier statement, the University, through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, d...

GREAT IFE STUDENTS’ UNION DISPUTES MANAGEMENT’S ACCOUNT OF PROTEST, SEEKS STAKEHOLDERS’ INTERVENTION By Goodness Olope  The Great Ife Students’ Union, Obafemi Awolowo University, has rejected the University Management’s description of today's student protest, insisting that the demonstration was peaceful and did not disrupt major roads or public movement. In a press release issued on Tuesday April 28th 2026, the Union stated that students engaged in a peaceful and well-coordinated protest at the Campus Gate following a congress resolution, expressing concerns over the newly introduced transportation system and its impact on student welfare. According to the Union, the protest remained confined to the Campus Gate axis and was orderly throughout its duration, with no incidents of violence, harassment, or obstruction of public roads. It faulted the University Management’s earlier statement, which described the protest as “unruly” and alleged obstruction of access roads and harassment ...

OAU CONFIRMS THREE-WEEK MID–SEMESTER BREAK, DSA REAFFIRMS UNIVERSITY POSITION By Goodness Olope  The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has reaffirmed its decision to proceed on a three-week mid-semester break following recent student protests on campus. This was confirmed after a telephone conversation with the Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), who reiterated that the directive earlier announced by the University remains the official position of the institution. The break, according to the University, was approved by the Senate in response to escalating protests over the newly introduced transportation system, which disrupted movement and academic activities on campus. In the release, the university started that, the protest reportedly led to the obstruction of major access roads within the University community, raising concerns over safety and order. Despite efforts to restore calm through engagement with students, the situation persisted, necessitating the temporary...

OAU STUDENTS PROTEST NEW TRANSPORT SYSTEM, AWOLOWO HALL EVICTION; HALT CAMPUS MOVEMENT By Goodness Olope  Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, staged a protest over the institution’s new transportation system, including the recently introduced CNG buses and tricycles, donated by the first Lady of Nigeria. The operation of the CNG buses and tricycles was brought to a halt, resulting in no movement within the university campus. The demonstration, which began at about 8:00 a.m., started from within the campus and moved to the main gate, before extending beyond the university premises to Ede Road, thereby disrupting movement both within and outside the campus. Students gathered at the campus gate, expressing dissatisfaction over the new transportation system and the eviction notice issued to residents of Awo Hall Blocks 7 and 8. Protesters marched with placards around the gate area and later extended their demonstration outside the university. Although St...

NO RENOVATION DURING SESSION – AWOLOWO HALL OCCUPANTS HOLD PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION OVER EVICTION ORDER By Goodness Olope On April 23, at about 11pm, occupants of Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence were informed by the hall’s executive members that renovation activities are set to commence on Monday, April 27. According to the announcement, the directive reportedly came from the University Management, mandating the immediate eviction of occupants in Blocks 7 and 8, with residents expected to vacate the hall by Sunday, April 26. The development was met with dissatisfaction and mixed reactions from hall occupants, who described the decision as sudden, poorly planned, and given without sufficient notice. To express their concerns and gather opinions, an impromptu congress was held at the hall cafeteria, Awo Café, on Thursday night, where occupants reportedly described the move as insensitive and lacking room for dialogue. They also argued that student welfare had been neglected in the proces...

STUDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER DELAYED RESULTS, CGPA IRREGULARITIES By Tofunmi Adewusi Students of Obafemi Awolowo University have expressed concerns over the delay in the release of last semester’s results, alongside reported irregularities in cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs) for the recently concluded first and second semesters of the 2023/2024 academic session. The situation has left many students uncertain about their academic standing, with some noting that the inconsistencies could affect their focus, scholarship opportunities, and overall academic progress. This is not the first time students have raised concerns over delays in result processing within the institution, as similar complaints have been recorded in previous sessions. Students Bemoan Situation Of Things Interviews reveal growing frustration among affected students. “I have not seen all my results, and the ones released have issues, some scripts seem missing, and my scores are lower than expected in some exams,”...

New Transport System: 72-Hour Lecture Boycott Ends By Grace Olaniyi  The Great Ife Students’ Union has officially announced the end of the 72-hour lecture boycott, bringing academic activities on campus back to normal. According to the statement released on Thursday, 16 April, the Union leadership confirmed that the boycott, which had earlier been declared as part of efforts to press home student demands, had successfully run its course. According to the statement, all lectures and academic engagements are to resume immediately from Friday, April 17, 2026. The Union leadership expressed appreciation to students for their compliance and unity throughout the boycott period, noting that their discipline ensured the protest remained peaceful and effective. While the boycott has been called off, the Union assured students that discussions with the university authorities are still ongoing, particularly regarding issues surrounding the institution’s transportation system. The outcome of t...

STUDENTS’ UNION HOLDS CONGRESS OVER TRANSPORT CRISIS, CONSTITUTES NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE ‎ By Grace Olaniyi Students’ Union Congress was convened at Fajuyi cafe to deliberate on the ongoing transportation challenges affecting students, following a 72-hour boycott initiated after the observatory week. The congress focused on determining the next line of action should management fail to meet the union’s demands. ‎ ‎Opening discussions, Congressman Natty, from the faculty of Administration, emphasized that the union has consistently taken a firm stance on transportation and questioned if there is no response from management, what will be the way forward, the president noted that if demands remain unmet, another congress may be convened to reassess the situation. ‎ ‎Some members expressed dissatisfaction with repeated calls for suggestions, arguing that enough contributions had already been made and that decisive action was now necessary. Others, including Congressman Romeo, a represen...

GREAT IFE STUDENTS' UNION ANNOUNCES 72-HOUR LECTURE BOYCOTT OVER TRANSPORT ISSUES By Victoria Ilori  The Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University has declared a 72-hour lecture boycott following persistent concerns over the newly introduced campus transportation system. The decision comes after a one-week observation period and consultations across key student leadership bodies. The Union cited inadequate coverage, shortage of buses and tricycles, overcrowding, and insufficient drivers as major challenges affecting students’ movement and academic activities. The boycott is scheduled to hold from Tuesday, 14th April to Thursday, 16th April 2026, during which all students are expected to abstain from lectures. In its demands to the University management, the Union called for:  • Increased availability of transport vehicles  • Temporary return of the previous system until improvements are made  • A more reliable, affordable, and efficient transport structure  ...

OAU MANAGEMENT URGES PATIENCE AS NEW TRANSPORT SYSTEM BEGINS OPERATION By Goodness Olope   The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has urged students to remain patient as the newly introduced campus transportation system undergoes adjustments amid complaints over efficiency. In a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju on Monday, the management said 50 buses and 40 tricycles, donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, have been deployed to improve mobility within the campus. The university described the donation as a significant intervention aimed at enhancing student welfare and easing movement. The management also expressed appreciation to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II for facilitating the delivery of the vehicles. Olanrewaju noted that the management acknowledged that the system is still being adjusted. "Management remains fully committed to delivering a seamless and effective transportat...

GREAT IFE STUDENTS' UNION TO HOLD CONGRESS AT AMPHITHEATRE OVER TRANSPORTATION CRISIS By Goodness Olope  The Great Ife Students’ Union has announced plans to hold a Congress on Thursday, April 9, 2026, 4pm, at the university's amphitheatre, as concerns continue to mount over the newly introduced campus transportation system. The decision comes in the wake of widespread frustration among students following the recent overhaul of transportation on campus, which now limits movement largely to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and tricycles. The system was introduced after the donation of 80 vehicles by the First Lady of Nigeria, with the aim of improving mobility within the university. Despite this, many students have reported difficulties navigating the system. Long queues, delayed commutes, increased transportation costs, and limited accessibility, particularly for those residing in off-campus areas such as Mayfair, AP, and Lagere, have been recurring concerns. In an official s...