A student protest over transportation and welfare concerns has forced the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, to shut down the campus and direct all students to proceed on a three week mid semester break with immediate effect, following approval by the university's Senate.

The institution's spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the decision in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the protest had escalated beyond a peaceful demonstration, with students blocking major access roads and creating safety concerns for members of the university community and the public.

"Despite efforts to engage and appeal for calm, the situation has continued to pose concerns for the safety and well being of members of the University community and the public," the statement read.

Students were directed to vacate their halls of residence as part of the shutdown, with the university describing the break as necessary to restore order and create an enabling environment for meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.

Tuesday's protest was the culmination of weeks of growing frustration. Students had earlier embarked on a 72 hour lecture boycott over the same concerns before resorting to a full demonstration. The Students' Union had also formally approved the protest at a congress held at Awo Café on Monday.

At the centre of the transport crisis is a new intra campus mobility system powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and tricycles, donated to the institution by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Although intended to improve movement on campus, students complained that the rollout resulted in longer queues and higher transport costs, worsening rather than easing their daily commute.

Beyond transportation, students had also raised concerns over the planned mid semester evacuation of residents from Awolowo Hall Blocks 7 and 8 for renovation, as well as disruptions caused by an ongoing ePortal upgrade that had prevented course registration and access to results weeks into the semester.

The university urged students to remain law abiding during the break while management engages stakeholders to resolve the outstanding concerns.