Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile‑Ife, Osun State, staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to demand immediate action on welfare and academic issues that have been affecting the campus community.
The demonstration, organized by the Students’ Union, began at 6 a.m. with a large crowd of students marching and chanting near the university’s main gate. Video footage showed participants carrying placards and moving in groups while maintaining a non‑violent stance. The protest was cleared to proceed after a congress held on Monday at Awo Café, where union members voted to approve the action.
In a joint statement signed by Students’ Union President Adelani David and General Secretary Habeeb Oke Isa, the leadership affirmed the commitment to a peaceful demonstration. “The Students’ Union staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at 6 a.m., with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met,” the statement read. It added that the protest would be conducted “in line with the known tradition of Great Ife students for orderly and non‑violent protests.”
The union’s grievances focus on transportation difficulties, inadequate accommodation, and delays associated with the university’s e‑portal upgrade. Students have reported problems registering for courses and accessing academic results weeks into the semester, prompting concerns about academic progression. In a separate communication dated April 25, the union rejected a plan to evacuate students from Awolowo Hall Blocks 7 and 8 for renovation, describing the timing as “poorly planned” and criticizing the lack of alternative housing.
Union officials called on all members to remain orderly while expressing their concerns, emphasizing that the protest aims to compel university management to intervene urgently and restore normal operations. The administration has not yet issued a formal response to the union’s demands.
The protest underscores growing dissatisfaction among OAU students over infrastructural and administrative challenges. Continued dialogue between the Students’ Union and university authorities will be critical to addressing the highlighted issues and preventing further disruptions to academic activities.
