The Awo Times

AMANDA DARA'S OPEN UP CIRCLE INSPIRES ENGAGING CONVERSATIONS AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AMONG OAU STUDENTS By Daniel Ajanaku  Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, gathered at Oduduwa Hall for an engaging session of The Open Up Circle, a youth-focused discussion platform founded by media personality Amanda Dara. The event, which started at 12:00 p.m., brought together students from different faculties to discuss issues affecting young people in Nigeria. Organized by The Open Up Circle team, the event created an open space where students freely shared ideas and different opinions were welcomed. The discussions covered topics such as personal responsibility, the economy, money management, relationships, and the challenges facing Generation Z. The event began with an energetic atmosphere as students were welcomed with interactive activities and giveaways. The event producer later spoke to the audience, explaining the aim of The Open Up Circle as a...

OAU @ 65: UNIVERSITY WRAPS UP GRAND CELEBRATION WITH AWARDS, DONATIONS, AND PROJECT LAUNCHES By Esther Oladapo Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, today, Monday, June 8, 2026 concluded its 65th anniversary celebration with a grand finale that marked the high point of a week-long series of commemorative events. The event, which was held on a Monday at the Oduduwa hall, brought together alumni, students, staff, and dignitaries from across the soil of Nigeria in a colourful gathering that reflected the institution’s legacy, unity, and academic excellence.  The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics, Professor Adesola Aderonmu, the 65th anniversary event's chairman, began with an opening remark, recognizing awardees and distinguished guests for their contributions to the university.  He also announced the official Launch of President Bola Tinubu ₦10 billion Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Dialogue and Youth Empowerment, NITDA Innovation Hub, Ahmed Adeniji SAN medical centre...

FG TO FUND STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS, TRANSFORM UNIVERSITIES INTO RESEARCH HUBS – EDUCATION MINISTER'S REPRESENTATIVE. By Tofunmi Adewusi and Adeyanju Ajao The Federal Government has announced plans to turn Nigerian universities into research centers and directly fund research projects created by students. The announcement was made during a lecture titled "65 Years of Excellence: Engineering the Future" at the Grand Anniversary celebration. The Minister of Education was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, who delivered the comprehensive address to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, university leaders, and students. Professor Adebowale spoke plainly about four major problems slowing down higher education in Nigeria, noting that there are fewer than 500,000 university spaces for over two million applicants each year, and the government gives only 5% to 8% of its budget to education, which is ...

BOSUN TIJANI INAUGURATES NITDA INNOVATION HUB AT OAU'S 65TH ANNIVERSARY  By Esther Oladapo The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani today, Monday, June 8, 2026, inaugurated the National Information technology Development Agency, Innovation Hub at the ICT Centre of Obafemi Awolowo University as part of activities marking the institution's 65th anniversary.and efforts to promote innovation, digital skills development, and entrepreneurship within the university community. The commissioning which took place on a Monday morning before marking the climax of the Institution’s 65th anniversary celebration,was graced with the presence of Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, Members of Alumni Association, Alumnus and CEO of Chowdeck, Femi Aluko and the members of the University community. Subsequently, the officials toured the innovation hub, where the facility's supervisor guided them through it...

OAU RESTORES 50 TOWN BUSES AS CAMPUS TRANSPORT CRISIS PERSISTS By Jeremiah Williams  Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has reinstated 50 Town buses back on campus, for student transportation as authorities move to ease renewed mobility challenges on campus. The Great Ife Students’ Union Transport Management Commission announced that the buses will resume operations from today, Monday, 8th June, 2026, serving students along the Mayfair, Lagere, and Sabo routes at previously approved fare rates. The development comes months after a major disruption to campus transport earlier in April 2026, when students staged a widespread protest over the university’s newly introduced transportation system. The demonstration halted movement across campus and forced the shutdown of transport operations. Following the unrest, the university senate approved a three-week mid-semester break on April 28, 2026, aimed at restoring order and allowing engagements between stakeholders. However, when academ...

OAU MARKS CULTURAL DAY IN CELEBRATION OF 65TH ANNIVERSARY  By Esther Oladapo and  Ajanaku Daniel  Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, today, June 4, 2026, hosted its Cultural Day celebration, one of the key events marking the institution's 65th anniversary. The event began with a vibrant cultural parade across the campus as students, staff, and invited guests proudly showcased different traditional attires representing Nigeria's diverse cultural heritage. The colourful procession attracted cheers and admiration from spectators before making its way to the Motion Ground, where the main celebration was held. Welcoming participants, the University's Public Relations Officer acknowledged members of the university management, staff, students, and invited guests. The atmosphere became even more lively with the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, and other principal officers, who joined the celebration dressed in cultural attires.  In his address, the ...

  OAU @ 65: TETFUND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DELIVERS DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT By Tofunmi Adewusi & Anjolaoluwa Adedeji  Activities marking the 65th Anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University continued today,  Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, with a Distinguished Guest Lecture delivered by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sunday S.T. Echono, who called for a stronger alignment between higher education, research, and innovation as key drivers of national development. The lecture, held as part of the Day 3 events of the university’s anniversary celebration, brought together academics, students, and dignitaries at Oduduwa Hall, where discussions centred on the future of Nigerian universities in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy. Welcoming participants, the Vice-Chancellor of described Arc. Echono as a seasoned public administrator whose decades of service in the Nigerian civil ...