A 72-hour lecture boycott has begun at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, as students protest challenges linked to the institution’s new campus transportation system.
Transportation has now become challenging for many students in OAU as getting to class has suddenly become as challenging as the lectures themselves.
What was introduced as a modern transport solution has, in recent weeks, turned into a source of frustration—one that has now triggered action by the Students’ Union Government (SUG).
Scheduled from April 14 to April 16, 2026, the boycott is more than just a protest. It reflects growing dissatisfaction over what students describe as a gap between policy intention and real-life experience.
At the centre of the issue is the university’s new transportation system, introduced after the donation of 80 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and tricycles by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. While the initiative was initially welcomed, students say its implementation has created unintended challenges.
From overcrowded buses and long queues to limited routes and insufficient vehicles, daily movement within the campus has become difficult, especially during peak hours. The situation is even more demanding for students living off-campus, with fewer options and rising transport costs.
The Students’ Union insists the action is not a rejection of development but a call for better planning and inclusion.
The union is demanding the deployment of more vehicles, temporary reinstatement of the former transport system, and proper consultation with student leaders before further policy changes are made.
University authorities have described the situation as a temporary phase, assuring that additional buses will be introduced to improve the system. However, for many students who face these challenges daily, the need for solutions is immediate.
As the boycott unfolds, attention now turns to how quickly meaningful adjustments can be made and whether dialogue between students and management can resolve the crisis.
Beyond the protest lies a simple concern: access to education should not be hindered by the struggle to get to class.
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