ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE— Normalcy is set to go back to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, as the Trainees’ Union formally ended its 72-hour lecture boycott on Thursday night.
The union has actually directed all trainees to resume scholastic activities effective Friday, April 17, 2026, mentioning progress in “positive negotiations” with the university management over the campus transport crisis.
The boycott, which paralysed lectures for three days, was a demonstration against the logistical drawbacks following the introduction of a brand-new transportation fleet contributed by the First Girl.
Resumption Amidst Continuous Discussion
In a statement launched by the union management, the suspension of the boycott was referred to as a gesture of excellent faith to enable the conclusion of talks with university authorities.
The union applauded the student body for their “unwavering compliance and durability,” noting that the total withdrawal of scholastic involvement was a peaceful and legitimate methods of highlighting their struggle.
While the lecture halls will resume on Friday, the union clarified that the struggle for a trustworthy transportation system is far from over.
“We assure that we will continue to engage the management in good faith till all concerns verging on the new transport system are adequately resolved,” the declaration read.
Read also: OAU trainees’ union states 72-hour lecture boycott over transportation crisis.
The Negotiating Table
Although specific concessions have actually not yet been fully disclosed, the union suggested that the details of the settlements would exist at the next general congress.
The main focus remains on addressing the lack of operational cars and the overcrowding that stimulated the initial 72-hour demand.
Key Resumption Information:
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Authorities Resumption Date: Friday, April 17, 2026.
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Status of Demands: Under active settlement with University Management.
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Next Action: Presentation of result at the Students’ Union Congress.
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Contingency: The union stays in consultative mode needs to management stop working to satisfy pledges.
A Week of Stress
The boycott followed a tense period where students threatened a mass protest across the city of Ile-Ife. The crisis was triggered by the viewed failure of the 50 buses and 30 tricycles to properly serve the university’s population of over 35,000.
The effective 72-hour boycott showed a high level of coordination between the Central Executive Council (CEC), the Hall Executive Council (HEC), and the Students’ Agent Council (SRC), efficiently forcing the management to prioritise the transport concern on the administrative program.
However, the university management is expected to present an improved logistics schedule beginning Friday to prevent a revival of student discontent.
Security and transportation experts on campus recommend that the management may need to integrate private transport operators back into the system to augment the donated fleet until more institutional lorries are acquired.
For now, the “Terrific Ife” community breathes a sigh of relief as the danger of a mass demonstration recedes, permitting the 2025/2026 scholastic calendar to proceed without more disruption.