Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife staged a calm demonstration on Tuesday over persistent transportation difficulties, calling for an increase in campus shuttle buses.
The protesting students, many holding placards, gathered at the institution’s main entrance where they sang solidarity songs to express their concerns.
According to Nasiru Olajide, Deputy Speaker of the Students’ Union, the action was intended to draw the attention of the university authorities to the ongoing transport challenges affecting students.
He explained that the protest remained orderly and was strictly focused on highlighting mobility issues within the campus.
Olajide pointed out that the number of available buses falls far short of meeting the needs of the university community, which includes tens of thousands of students, staff members, and other campus users.
He acknowledged the contribution of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who donated buses and tricycles to support campus transportation, but maintained that the current fleet is still inadequate and that many of the vehicles are in poor condition.
He further noted that students frequently endure long queues while waiting for buses, sometimes leading to missed lectures.
Olajide added that previous discussions with the university management had not yet produced a satisfactory outcome.
He also highlighted that the shortage has driven up transport costs for students residing outside the campus.
The union leader appealed to government authorities, private donors, and other stakeholders to assist in providing additional buses to ease the situation.
He also urged the university administration to make alternative housing arrangements for students displaced from AWO Hostel due to ongoing renovations.
Attempts to get an official response from the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
The demonstration ended without any reports of violence or damage to property.