Activities at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, were disrupted on Tuesday following a mass protest by students opposing management's decision to relocate the Department of Anatomy and Physiology from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
The angry students barricaded the main entrance of the institution, preventing vehicular and pedestrian movement while chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards expressing their rejection of the Senate approved relocation.
Placards carried by the protesters bore inscriptions such as "LAUTECH!!! Don't Separate Physiology from Medicine. Protect the Integrity of Medical Sciences. Physiology belongs to Basic Medical Sciences. Our Discipline Is Not Experimental. LAUTECH!! We Won't Be Silenced."
An internal memo that surfaced on Tuesday revealed that the Senate had taken the controversial decision during a meeting held on Wednesday, 21st January 2026.
"The Senate, at its meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, considered and approved that the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, as required, be moved from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences," the document stated.
The memo, signed by Olayinka O. Balogun and addressed to the Vice Chancellor, provided further details on the implementation of the decision.
"It was also approved that the non-medical staff members should equally move to the above-named faculty for ease of career progression. Consequent upon the Senate’s approval, I write to inform you that the Department of Anatomy and Physiology has been moved to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences. Your support and cooperation in ensuring a smooth transition are highly appreciated," the memo read.
Students responded to the announcement by staging the protest, insisting that the relocation undermines the integrity of medical sciences education at the institution. They vowed to sustain their demonstration until the university management reverses its position.
Efforts to obtain a response from the institution's Public Relations Officer, Lekan Fadeyi, proved unsuccessful as of press time.
The protest highlights growing tensions between LAUTECH students and management over academic restructuring decisions that students believe could affect the quality and recognition of their programmes, particularly in the health sciences.
The demonstration comes at a time when Nigerian universities continue grappling with administrative reforms, and students are increasingly assertive about decisions affecting their academic programs.
