Students of (OAU) staged a protest late Thursday night following an abrupt directive ordering the immediate eviction of residents from parts of Awolowo Hall of Residence.
The development was announced by the Hall President, Lateef Omotayo, alongside other hall executives, informing occupants that renovation works would commence imminently, beginning with Blocks 7 and 8.
According to the directive, affected students were instructed to vacate their rooms by Friday, April 24, ahead of the scheduled commencement of renovation on Monday, April 27.
The announcement triggered widespread outrage among residents, many of whom described the notice as sudden, poorly planned, and insensitive to student welfare.
Students argued that the university’s existing accommodation challenges make it unrealistic to relocate affected occupants at such short notice, especially in already overcrowded hostels.
In response, an emergency meeting was convened at the Awolowo Hall café, where residents voiced strong opposition to the eviction, citing lack of consultation and inadequate alternative arrangements.
Participants at the meeting criticized the management’s approach, describing it as an imposition that disregards student well-being and fails to provide room for dialogue.
Shortly after the meeting, hundreds of students embarked on a peaceful protest from the hall premises to the Students’ Union Building, demanding immediate intervention from university authorities.
The protesters insisted that the Dean of Student Affairs should address them directly at the hall to clarify the situation and provide workable solutions to the looming displacement.
Many of the students emphasized that while they are not opposed to renovation, the process must be humane, structured, and considerate of those affected.
As of the time of reporting, there had been no official response from the university management regarding the protest or the concerns raised by the students.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions around student accommodation and welfare in Nigerian universities, where infrastructure upgrades often clash with limited housing capacity.
