Manny Ita –
Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have entered the final day of a 72-hour lecture boycott in protest against worsening transportation challenges across the campus.
The protest, driven largely by the Student Union and supported by a broad base of undergraduates, stems from the persistent difficulty in accessing reliable and affordable transport within the university. Many students complain of long waiting hours at major bus stops, overcrowded shuttles, and frequent fare hikes by commercial operators, which have disrupted academic schedules and daily activities.
The situation has reportedly been exacerbated by a shortage of operational campus buses and poor road conditions in certain areas, making movement between hostels, lecture halls, and other facilities increasingly stressful. For students living off-campus or in distant hostels, the burden has been even more severe, often causing lateness or absence from lectures.
Student leaders have insisted that the boycott will remain effective until the university management takes concrete steps to address the issue. Key demands include the provision of more functional shuttle buses, regulation of transport fares, and improved maintenance of campus roads.
University authorities have acknowledged the concerns and are said to be in talks with transport unions and relevant stakeholders to find a lasting solution. However, as the protest reaches its final phase, students remain resolute, emphasizing that tangible action—not promises—will determine their next move.
The development highlights growing concerns over student welfare and infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary institutions, where transport inefficiencies continue to impact academic productivity.
