Nigeria: OAU students begin three-day lecture boycott over campus transport issues
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
The Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has commenced a 72-hour lecture boycott to protest challenges with the new campus transportation system introduced after the deployment of buses and tricycles donated by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
In a statement dated April 13 and signed by President Adelani David and Secretary Habeeb Oke, the union directed students to boycott all academic activities from Monday through Thursday, April 16, 2026.
The decision followed a week-long observation period and a joint meeting of the Central Executive Council, Hall Executive Council, and leadership of the Students’ Representative Council.
According to the union, the new transport system has subjected students to “severe conditions” due to inadequate campus coverage, a persistent shortage of operational tricycles and buses, overcrowding, and insufficient drivers. The university recently deployed 50 buses and 30 tricycles to move students within the campus.
University spokesperson Abiodun Olarewaju had last week appealed to the union leadership to give management time to resolve issues arising from the rollout.
The union is demanding the provision of more vehicles to cater for the over 35,000 members of the university community and the immediate reintroduction of the previous transport system until additional buses are added. It also called for proper implementation of the new system to guarantee adequate, affordable, and reliable intra-campus mobility, and for full consultation with student leaders before any further major changes to campus transportation.
The union said it will review the situation at the end of the 72-hour boycott. “Possible mass protest/march shall be considered if the management fails to address the demands satisfactorily within this period,” the statement said.
