The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has announced a three-week mid-semester break following escalating student protests over transportation challenges, welfare concerns, and delays in the institution’s e-portal system.
The decision was approved by the University Senate after demonstrations intensified across campus. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the break takes immediate effect.
“The University Senate has approved that the students proceed with a mid-semester break for a period of three weeks, with immediate effect,” the statement read.
According to the management, the move became necessary as protests led to the blocking of major access roads and alleged harassment of road users within and around the campus, raising concerns about safety and public order.
“The situation has continued to pose concerns for the safety and well-being of members of the University community and the public, despite efforts to engage and appeal for calm,” the statement added.
The university urged students to remain law-abiding during the break, noting that the period would be used to engage stakeholders and restore normalcy on campus.
The development follows a protest led by the OAU Students’ Union, during which a large number of students marched to demand urgent action on delays linked to the school’s e-portal upgrade, transportation difficulties, and accommodation issues.
The union had maintained that the protest would be peaceful, although a resolution from a congress held at Awo Café indicated plans to block major roads and gates until their demands were met.
Students also criticized the proposed mid-semester evacuation from Awolowo Hall and ongoing issues with the e-portal system, which they said disrupted course registration and access to results weeks into the semester.
The protests were further fueled by dissatisfaction with a newly introduced transportation system involving compressed natural gas-powered buses, which reportedly led to long queues and delays.
The buses were donated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as part of efforts to improve mobility within the university. However, students argued that the implementation created additional challenges, triggering the demonstrations that culminated in the shutdown and subsequent break.