The National Association of Nigerian Students has said the management of Obafemi Awolowo University may reduce the recently announced three-week mid-semester break and has agreed to allow students currently in hostels to remain on campus.
This followed a high-level engagement between NANS Southwest Zone D and the university management over welfare concerns triggered by the break and earlier evacuation fears.
In a statement issued on Friday by the NANS Southwest Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, the student body said it intervened after many students were left stranded following the abrupt announcement of the break.
According to the statement, the university management, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Akinfala Oluropo, agreed to suspend any forced eviction of students from hostels.
“Management agreed that students who are currently on campus and residing in their hostels will be allowed to remain until the official resumption date, recognising that many students were already stranded and unable to secure alternative accommodation within such a limited time,” the statement read.
It added that the university also assured students of the continued provision of basic utilities during the break period.
“Management further assured that water and electricity supply will be provided and sustained in all halls of residence housing students who remain on campus throughout the break period,” NANS said.
On transportation challenges, which sparked the protest, the student body said the management acknowledged the difficulties faced by students and pledged to improve mobility within the campus.
“Management acknowledged the burden placed on students due to limited campus mobility and agreed to provide additional buses to ease transportation difficulties within the university community,” the statement added.
NANS also disclosed that discussions were held on the duration of the break, noting that efforts were underway to shorten it.
“Management acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to present the proposal for reducing the break period to one week before the University Senate, where a final decision will be taken,” it said.
On the controversial Awolowo Hall renovation, the university clarified that no work had commenced and assured all that adequate notice and arrangements would be made before any displacement of students.
“It was further agreed that whenever renovation activities are scheduled to begin, proper planning and adequate notice will be given to affected students, including necessary arrangements to ensure that no student is displaced without structured alternatives,” the statement noted.
The development comes days after the university directed students to proceed on a three-week break following protests over transportation and welfare issues.
The institution had said the decision became necessary after demonstrations escalated into the obstruction of major access roads and raised safety concerns.
Students had earlier embarked on a 72-hour lecture boycott between April 14 and April 16, 2026, to protest transportation challenges affecting academic activities and movement across campus.
The transport crisis followed the introduction of compressed natural gas-powered buses within the university, after about 80 CNG buses and tricycles were donated by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to improve mobility.
However, students complained that the implementation led to long queues, delays, and restricted movement, triggering wider dissatisfaction.
The situation later escalated into a mass protest, with students demanding urgent action over transportation, accommodation concerns, and disruptions linked to the ongoing e-portal upgrade.
NANS described the latest agreements as a step towards restoring stability on campus, stating that it would continue to monitor compliance.
“These commitments represent significant progress toward restoring stability and protecting student welfare within the institution,” the statement added.
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