Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have initiated a 72-hour lecture boycott, running from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16, 2026. This action stems from widespread dissatisfaction with the campus transportation system, which students describe as inadequately implemented.
The decision was formalized in a resolution by the Students’ Union Government following a congress on April 9 and subsequent leadership meetings. The union stated that weeks of mounting frustration over mobility challenges on campus had significantly disrupted academic activities and daily student movement.
“The union shall embark on a total 72-hour lecture boycott starting from Tuesday, 14th April 2026, to Thursday, 16th April 2026. All academic activities are to be boycotted throughout this period,” the statement read.
Students have reported that the new transportation arrangement, involving vehicles donated by the First Lady of Nigeria, has worsened commuting conditions. Specific complaints include insufficient vehicles, overcrowding, extended waiting times, and inadequate route coverage across the campus.
The situation is particularly challenging for students residing off-campus, who now depend on limited and more expensive transport options outside the university's direct control. The union noted that previous engagements with the university management had not yielded satisfactory immediate relief, despite assurances that the system was in a “teething phase.”
Key demands from the student body include the provision of additional vehicles to serve the over 35,000 students, the temporary reinstatement of the previous transport system until improvements are made, and full consultation with student leaders on future policy adjustments.
The union also advocates for a more inclusive and hybrid transport model that better reflects the actual movement patterns of students across campus and nearby communities. They have warned that if their concerns are not adequately addressed within the 72-hour boycott period, further actions, including a mass protest, may be considered.
This development follows the donation of 80 compressed natural gas buses and tricycles to the university, intended to enhance campus transportation. The university management subsequently restricted intra-campus movement to these donated vehicles, a move that, while initially seen as modernization, has led to the current operational challenges.
The Students’ Union had previously acknowledged the donation but highlighted implementation gaps that resulted in long queues, delays, and an insufficient fleet, especially during peak hours. Concerns were also raised about the exclusion of commercial transport operators who previously served parts of the campus, further limiting mobility options.
University authorities reportedly described the current situation as a transitional “teething period” and assured that more buses would be introduced to improve efficiency. However, students maintain that the difficulties persist, prompting the current lecture boycott as a measure to pressure the administration for a resolution.
