Students of Obafemi Awolowo University have announced a 72-hour boycott of lectures in protest against what they describe as an inadequate campus transportation system.

The action, scheduled from April 14 to April 16, was approved by the Students’ Union Government following a congress and subsequent leadership meetings.

In a statement signed by the union’s president, Adelani David, and secretary-general, Habeeb Oke, the students said the decision followed weeks of worsening mobility challenges that have disrupted academic and daily activities.

The union directed students to stay away from all lectures during the period, citing concerns over insufficient vehicles, overcrowding, long waiting times and poor route coverage across campus.

Students also noted that those living off-campus have been particularly affected, relying on limited and more expensive transport alternatives.

The protest is linked to a new transportation arrangement introduced after the donation of compressed natural gas buses and tricycles by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, aimed at improving mobility within the university.

Following the donation, university authorities restricted intra-campus transport to the new vehicles, a move students say has reduced available options and worsened commuting conditions.

The union said repeated engagements with management have yet to yield immediate solutions, despite assurances that the system is undergoing a transitional phase.

Among their demands are an increase in the number of vehicles serving the university’s student population, a temporary return to the previous transport system, and greater consultation with student representatives before further changes are implemented.

They also called for a more flexible transport model that accommodates both campus residents and those living in surrounding communities.

The union warned that it would review the situation after the boycott and may escalate to wider protests if its demands are not met.

University authorities had earlier indicated that additional buses would be introduced over time to improve operations, but students insist that current conditions remain inadequate.