Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Tuesday staged a protest calling for immediate action over persistent welfare and academic concerns affecting the campus community.
The demonstration, organised by the Students’ Union, saw large numbers of students marching and chanting near the institution’s main gate in the early hours of the day.
Video footage from the scene showed protesters carrying placards and moving in groups, while maintaining that the exercise remained peaceful throughout.
The protest followed a resolution reached at a congress held on Monday at Awo Café, where union members approved the demonstration in response to ongoing challenges.
In a statement jointly signed by the Students’ Union President, Adelani David, and General Secretary, Habeeb Oke Isa, the leadership stated that the Students’ Union staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at about 6 a.m., with plans to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until their demands are met.
The statement added that the protest was designed to be peaceful and in line with the long-standing tradition of Great Ife students for orderly and non-violent demonstrations.
Students were also urged to participate responsibly, with the union noting that all members of the congress should remain orderly while expressing their grievances.
The protest comes amid growing dissatisfaction over transportation difficulties, accommodation concerns, and delays linked to the institution’s e-portal upgrade.
In a separate statement issued on April 25, the union rejected plans to evacuate students from Awolowo Hall Blocks 7 and 8 for renovation, describing the move as poorly timed.
The union stated that it categorically rejected the proposed evacuation without adequate notice, proper planning, or the provision of alternative accommodation for affected students.
The union also criticised the ongoing e-portal upgrade, noting that many students had been unable to register courses or access academic results weeks into the semester.
The Students’ Union reiterated its commitment to peaceful engagement, while warning that urgent intervention from the university management was required to restore normalcy.
NAN
