The Great Ife Students’ Representative Council (SRC) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has officially declared its rejection of what it describes as “academic abnormalities” within the institution. The Nigeria Education News team, live on the OAU campus, closely followed the development as the SRC released a strongly-worded statement directed to the university management and other key stakeholders.
The statement, signed by Rt. Hon. Oladapo Olakunle O., Speaker of the SRC, and his Deputy, Hon. David Joshua O., listed specific concerns currently disrupting students’ learning schedules and personal wellbeing. Chief among these abnormalities are the increasing trend of 7 a.m. classes, lectures extending beyond 6 p.m., Saturday lectures, and the violation of lecture-free weeks.
“We must remind the school community that these are illegal practices within OAU,” the statement read. “It is disheartening to see these abnormalities becoming normalized. They erode the balance between academic life and other vital dimensions of student development,” it added. The SRC emphasized that lecture-free weeks are enshrined in the academic calendar to allow students prepare adequately for assessments and catch up on learning materials.
While addressing the university management—particularly Vice Chancellor Professor A.S. Bamire and the Division of Student Affairs—the SRC demanded the immediate cessation of these disruptive practices. According to them, failure to do so would prompt more decisive actions by the students’ union. “The Great Ife Students’ Union remains unwavering in its advocacy for policies that prioritize students’ wellbeing. If normalcy is not restored, we will not hesitate to act.”
The students’ union also launched a campus-wide call for vigilance and unity among class representatives and student leaders. They urged students to report cases of abnormal scheduling and support the SRC’s initiatives in defense of their collective interests. “This is a collective fight, and unity is needed to safeguard the academic and social standards that define Great Ife,” said Hon. Alawode Ewaoluwa E., Clerk of the SRC.
The SRC’s press release was shared on various campus noticeboards and student social media platforms. The Nigeria Education News observed conversations among students in lecture halls, walkways, and cafeterias, with many expressing relief that the issue was finally receiving structured attention. “I had a 7 a.m. class today, and I barely made it due to transport issues,” said a 300-level student from the Faculty of Arts. “This action by the SRC is long overdue.”
The SRC also acknowledged the contributions of key figures within the university leadership, including the Chancellor, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar (Etsu Nupe), and the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Siyan Oyeweso. They urged these figures to use their offices to facilitate immediate corrective measures.
It is worth noting that OAU has a long-standing history of student activism and engagement in university governance. The Students’ Union at Great Ife, as it is proudly called, has often taken the lead among Nigerian institutions in setting precedents for student rights advocacy and democratic student governance.
Speaking exclusively to The Nigeria Education News, a student representative within the SRC who requested anonymity revealed that the council has begun compiling a database of reported incidents involving early morning classes and extended evening lectures to be presented to the Senate of the university.
Additionally, the SRC is considering collaborating with the Faculty Boards to design a scheduling framework that prioritizes student health, learning efficiency, and transportation realities. “We’re not anti-lectures, we’re for organized and fair academic practices,” the representative clarified.
The protest against academic irregularities is not an isolated development. In recent years, students in other Nigerian universities have echoed similar frustrations. However, Great Ife appears to be at the forefront once again in formally documenting and confronting the problem.
As the June examination period approaches, the OAU community awaits a response from the school management. Whether the administration will align with the students’ demand for sanity in scheduling remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the students of Great Ife have spoken, and they are not backing down.
