OAU Abruptly Declares 3-Week Mid-Semester Break After Student Protest Over Transportation, Welfare

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has ordered students to proceed on a three-week mid-semester break following escalating protests over transportation and welfare issues on campus.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the university said the decision was approved by the Senate of the University after student demonstrations disrupted normal activities.

According to the statement, “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 management explained that the break became necessary after protests over a newly introduced transport system led to the blockage of major access roads and disruption of movement within the campus. It added that despite attempts to calm the situation, concerns over safety and order continued to grow.

Authorities said the temporary closure would allow time for engagement with stakeholders and efforts to restore normalcy, while urging students to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the break.

The decision followed a protest organised by the OAU Students’ Union over transportation challenges, accommodation concerns, and delays linked to the university’s e-portal upgrade. Students had earlier held a congress at Awo Café, where they approved a peaceful demonstration demanding urgent intervention.

During the protest, students criticised the new intra-campus transport arrangement involving compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, saying it had led to long queues and delays. They also raised concerns about the planned evacuation from Awolowo Hall and difficulties accessing academic services due to system upgrades.

The transport system was introduced following the donation of buses by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, aimed at improving mobility within the institution. However, students said the implementation has created new challenges, ultimately triggering the protest that led to the shutdown of the institution.