ERC Calls for Student Congress, Mass Protest Over Transport Crisis at OAU
The Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, is currently facing agitation from student activists as the Education Rights Campaign, ERC, has called for a student congress and possible mass protest over the ongoing transport crisis on the campus.
In a statement jointly signed by its Deputy National Coordinator, Ogunjimi Isaac, and National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael Lenin, the group urged the Students’ Union leadership to convene a congress that would enable students decide the next line of action against what it described as an “artificially induced” transportation problem.
The call follows recent tensions between students and the university management over changes to the campus transport system. Earlier in April 2026, the Students’ Union declared a 72-hour lecture boycott to protest transportation difficulties across the large campus.
Students complained that the new transport arrangement introduced after the donation of buses and tricycles to the university led to long queues, overcrowding, delays and inadequate coverage of key routes, thereby disrupting academic activities and daily movement. Although the boycott has since been suspended following negotiations with management, many students and activists insist the underlying issues remain unresolved.
Reacting to the situation, the ERC argued that the university management had refused to address students’ demand for the coexistence of the traditional “town-igboro” commercial buses from Ile-Ife town and the newly introduced campus shuttle buses.
The group said the Students’ Union should urgently convene a student congress where the university community can collectively deliberate and decide on further action.
According to the statement, if the management continues to ignore students’ concerns, a peaceful mass protest backed by media engagement may become necessary.
The organisation accused the university administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Simeon Bamire, of showing insensitivity to the daily challenges faced by students and staff who rely on commercial transport within the campus.
Beyond students, the ERC urged the Students’ Union to invite staff unions and other stakeholders to the proposed congress. The group specifically mentioned unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Non‑Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, and Congress of University Academics, CONUA.
According to the ERC, the transport crisis affects not only students but also staff members and other residents of the university community. It added that involving multiple groups would prevent the management from isolating students during the struggle.
The campaign group also suggested that the Town-Igboro buses should operate between the campus and Ile-Ife town, while the university shuttle buses should run mainly within the campus up to the entrance gates.
It argued that such an arrangement would reduce pressure on commercial buses and improve mobility for students who only need to move within the campus environment.
Beyond transportation, the ERC called on students to use the proposed congress to discuss other welfare concerns, including alleged extortion at faculties and departments, deteriorating hostel conditions and insufficient accommodation facilities.
The organisation also demanded that the university authorities invest in adequate on-campus hostel facilities, stressing that excessive commuting between town and campus negatively affects students’ academic performance.
The group concluded by urging students to remain active in defending their rights and to mobilise collectively until practical solutions are implemented.
