Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have commenced a three-day lecture boycott in protest against persistent transportation challenges on campus, despite the recent deployment of buses donated by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
The action, which began on Monday, follows growing dissatisfaction with the newly introduced transport system, which students say has worsened their daily commute across the sprawling university campus.
The Students’ Union, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Adelani David, and Secretary, Habeeb Oke, directed all students to boycott academic activities from Monday through Thursday, April 16, 2026.
According to the union, the decision was reached after a week-long observation period and consultations involving the Central Executive Council (CEC), Hall Executive Council (HEC), and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
The union leadership decried what it described as worsening transport conditions under the new system, citing inadequate campus coverage, persistent shortages of buses and tricycles, overcrowding, and a lack of sufficient drivers.
“The current arrangement has subjected students to severe hardship and is far from meeting the mobility needs of over 35,000 members of the university community,” the statement noted.
The students are demanding the immediate provision of more vehicles, as well as the temporary reinstatement of the previous transport system until the new arrangement is fully capable of meeting demand.
They also called for proper implementation of the new system to ensure affordable and reliable intra-campus mobility, alongside full consultation with the Students’ Union before any major transport policy changes.
Meanwhile, the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, had earlier appealed to the union leadership to allow management time to address challenges arising from the deployment of 50 buses and 30 tricycles within the campus.
The union, however, warned that it would reassess the situation at the end of the 72-hour boycott and may escalate its action to a mass protest if its demands are not met.
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