OAU Students Resume After Protest-Induced Holiday
Academic activities have resumed at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, following the expiration of a three-week mid-semester break declared by the institution last month after student protests over a newly introduced transportation system.
An internal memorandum addressed to all faculty deans by the university’s principal assistant registrar, I.B. Aronkola, on Sunday, indicated that the school’s senate, during a meeting on Thursday, deliberated on the resumption and confirmed that the issues that triggered the crisis had been resolved.
“Senate, among other things, considered the issue of resumption of students from three weeks’ mid-semester break,” the memo read. “It (the senate) also noted the information that all matters that emanated from the situation had been sufficiently addressed.”
According to the memo, the senate noted that the mid-semester holiday would end on Tuesday, May 19, and agreed that academic activities should resume on the same date. The management called on all faculty deans to note the senate’s decision and take further necessary actions.
The three-week break was announced on Tuesday, April 28, following a series of protests by students over transportation inconvenience within the campus. A statement issued at the time by the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, explained that the decision became imperative due to the student populace’s demonstration against the newly introduced transportation system.
The resumption directive, contained in the Sunday memo, did not provide additional details on whether any modifications had been made to the contested transport policy. However, the senate’s assessment that the matter had been “sufficiently addressed” suggests that the university administration has taken steps to resolve students’ grievances.
Faculty deans have been tasked with ensuring that academic departments and units comply with the resumption order. Lectures and other academic activities are expected to begin immediately.