Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, on Thursday took to the streets to protest the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has kept them away from school for 68 days.
The students, under the leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), blocked the university’s main entrance and some major roads connecting the institution to the highway. The action disrupted the movement of vehicles around the university community and adjoining areas.
The protesters displayed placards calling for an end to the prolonged industrial action and the reopening of the university. Some of the messages on the placards drew attention to the plight of students who are still waiting to graduate and the involvement of other university-based unions in the strike.
Speaking during the protest, SUG President, Comrade Folagbade Greatness Ayoola, said the students had reached a point where they could no longer remain silent about the continued closure of the institution.
Ayoola raised concerns about the effect of the strike on students, particularly those who are close to completing their programmes.
He also alleged that students were still expected to pay school fees even though academic activities had been disrupted for several weeks.
He further claimed that some lecturers had not received their salaries, adding that ASUU had already presented its demands to the government before the union declared an indefinite strike following unsuccessful meetings aimed at resolving the dispute.
According to him, students had received several assurances that the issues would be addressed, but the lack of a lasting solution had left them frustrated and uncertain about when they would return to their classrooms.
He said the students would continue to use lawful means to demand an end to the crisis until the university resumes normal academic activities.
The SUG General Secretary, Oluwatimileyin Amos, said the prolonged strike had left students at home for more than two months, creating growing concerns about their education and future.
Amos said pending graduates had been badly affected, especially those whose examinations and other requirements for graduation were yet to be completed.
He added that the uncertainty had left many students unsure of what to do while the strike continues, with some questioning whether they should remain at home or make plans to return to the university.
The Students’ Senate President, Comrade Adebiyi Kehinde, said the union had held discussions with the university management and other relevant stakeholders in an effort to find a solution to the situation.
Kehinde said those efforts had yet to produce the desired result, urging the government to take immediate steps to address the issues that led to the strike.
He said the students were mainly interested in returning to their classrooms and continuing with their academic programmes.
The Senate President also appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could worsen the situation while the union continues to engage relevant authorities.
Other students who participated in the demonstration called on the government to fulfil its responsibilities and resolve the outstanding issues between the authorities and university workers.
They said an early resolution would allow academic activities to resume and reduce the pressure the prolonged strike has placed on students, particularly those nearing graduation.
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