Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, have announced a 72 hour boycott of lectures in protest against challenges linked to the campus transportation system introduced with vehicles donated by the First Lady of Nigeria.

The action is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16, 2026, following a resolution reached by the Students Union Government after a congress held on April 9 and subsequent leadership meetings.

In a statement signed by the SU President, Adelani David, and Secretary General, Habeeb Oke, the union stated, “The union shall embark on a total 72 hour lecture boycott starting from Tuesday, 14th April 2026, to Thursday, 16th April 2026. All academic activities are to be boycotted throughout this period.”

The Union explained that the decision followed growing dissatisfaction with mobility across campus, describing the transport system as “inadequate and poorly implemented.” Students reported overcrowding, long waiting times, limited vehicles, and insufficient route coverage, which they said had disrupted academic and daily activities.

They added that students living off campus had been most affected, relying on limited and costly alternatives. According to the union, repeated engagements with management had not yielded immediate solutions despite assurances that the system was in a “teething phase.”

Among the demands listed are an increase in available vehicles, temporary reinstatement of the previous transport system, and proper consultation with student leaders before further changes.

The union warned, “The leadership shall review the situation at the end of the 72 hour boycott. Further actions such as a possible mass protest or march shall be considered if the management fails to address the demands satisfactorily within this period.”

The transport system was introduced after the donation of 80 compressed natural gas buses and tricycles by Oluremi Tinubu, with intra campus movement restricted to the new vehicles. While initially welcomed, students say implementation challenges have worsened movement across campus.

University authorities had earlier described the situation as a transitional “teething period” and assured that additional buses would be provided. However, students insist that conditions remain difficult.