The attention of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, Osun State Chapter, has been drawn to the recent decision by the management of Obafemi Awolowo University to declare a three-week mid-semester break and forcefully shut down academic activities following legitimate protests by students over transportation challenges and welfare concerns.
We strongly condemn this action.
The decision to send students home instead of addressing the root causes of their grievances reflects a troubling pattern of administrative insensitivity and avoidance of responsibility. Educational institutions are meant to be spaces where dialogue, engagement, and problem-solving are prioritized, not environments where students are silenced through abrupt closures.
The protest by students was not without cause. Issues surrounding inadequate transportation, welfare, and accessibility within the campus directly affect the academic performance and well-being of students. These are fundamental concerns that require urgent and practical solutions, not the displacement of the student body.
By declaring a sudden break, the management has not only disrupted the academic calendar but has also placed unnecessary financial and psychological burdens on students and their families. This approach does not resolve the crisis; it merely postpones it.
We call on the university management to immediately engage in constructive dialogue with student representatives, reinstate normal academic activities, and implement sustainable solutions to the transportation and welfare challenges facing students.
Furthermore, we urge relevant authorities and stakeholders in the education sector to intervene where necessary to ensure that the rights and interests of students are protected at all times.
The TIB Movement stands in solidarity with the students and reiterates its commitment to advocating for accountability, fairness, and responsible leadership within our educational institutions.
Signed:
Ajayi Tunde
Osun State Secretary
Take It Back Movement (TIB)
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