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          Taiwo Deborah Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has honoured outstanding contributions to research, public service, mentorship, and educational development at the 2026 Academic Research Excellence Awards held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The event recognized eminent Nigerians and corporate partners, including Professor Oladapo Afolabi, CFR, former Head of Service of the Federation, for his distinguished contributions to academia, governance, and national development. The ceremony, which attracted alumni, faculty members, students, and industry leaders, also featured the announcement of key initiatives, including the proposed establishment of the Oladapo Afolabi Center for Good Governance and Professional Etiquette, as well as the expansion of the OPay OP Scholars Programme to 40 universities across Nigeria. Professor Afolabi was honoured for his exceptional capacity to execute responsibilities effectively and his commit...

            John Alabi  “Education is the best legacy,” so they say. But what happens when access to the rewards of one’s academic labour becomes increasingly difficult for a university undergraduate? Who should be held accountable? Delayed result uploads are not a new challenge within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community. Each semester, students begin with renewed determination to excel and improve their CGPAs. Some remain on campus during breaks, while others spend countless hours studying lecture materials, revising PDFs, and preparing for another academic session. Yet, after all the sacrifices, many are met with disappointment. The experience becomes a recurring cycle of uncertainty, with one unanswered question leading to another. Students enter examination halls without a clear understanding of their performance in previous courses, forced to predict their academic standing without knowing their strengths, weaknesses, areas ...

          Taiwo Deborah  The Bloom Africa OAU Chapter has crowned a new voice for the university as Oyedokun Miracle emerged winner of the 5th Inaugural Poet competition held at Obafemi Awolowo University. The event, themed “Who Shall Be the 5th Inaugural Poet,” showcased young poets competing for the prestigious title of OAU’s next Inaugural Poet. While 18 contestants were expected, 14 poets participated. From these, six finalists were selected before the ultimate winner was chosen. The competition began with powerful performances that drew smiles, applause, and moments of reflection from the audience. Contestants presented thought-provoking pieces addressing societal issues, personal experiences, and national realities. The contestants and the titles of their pieces included: Anjolaoluwa Bankole – “Some Cups Carry Water” Oyedokun Miracle – “Her New Name” Oduowo Olabisi – “A Taste of Then” Okuola Oluwadarasimi – “Before You Leave ...

        John Alabi The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has initiated plans to establish Organ Studies through a partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Church Organ Projects in Nigeria (CHOPIN) and an alumnus of the university, Lanre Delano. The proposed programme will be domiciled in the Department of Music and will follow a structured training pathway for applicants. It will begin with a nine-month Certificate Programme covering foundational organ training, hymn accompaniment, and liturgical or church music interpretation. Successful candidates will thereafter proceed to an 18-month Diploma Programme, which will focus on advanced organ performance and deeper technical training.                                 Department of Music, OAU. The alumnus explained that the initiative is designed to provide classical music enthusias...

          Fawaz Adedeji The Know Your Rights Conference (KYRC) 2026, held on Saturday, June 27 at Ajose Lecture Theatre, organized by the Clinic for Human Rights, Obafemi Awolowo University (CHROAU) examined the contemporary challenges surrounding citizens’ fundamental human rights and highlighted the role of Nigerian youths in driving social change through activism and advocacy. The conference, themed “The Voice of Youth in Activism and Advocacy in the Contemporary World,” focused on equipping students with the knowledge and tools required to hold government accountable, defend the vulnerable, and engage meaningfully in democratic processes. Participants were encouraged to leverage research, constitutional awareness, and digital literacy to challenge injustice, influence public policy, and uphold the rule of law. The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Prof. Oyelade of the Faculty of Law; journalists Sikiru Obaray...

         Sofiat  Yusuf Students, Departmental and Faculty students' representative council (SRC), guest speakers, and other dignitaries, today June 18, converged at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), for the Great Ife Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Legislative and Tech Summit. The summit, themed “Reimagining Leadership in a Digital Age,” brought together student leaders and professionals to examine the evolving dynamics of leadership, technology, and entrepreneurship. The event was organised by the Great Ife SRC and featured alumni of the university, including the host, Damilare Fashina. Proceedings began with an opening prayer delivered by a member of the council, followed by the recitation of the Nigerian national anthem and the GreatIfe anthem. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Summit, in her opening remarks, stressed the urgency of redefining leadership in contemporary times. “The question is not whet...

          Fawaz Adedeji  As Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) continues in the spirit of its 65th year of academic and cultural excellence, the university, in its special highlighted event schedules slated Thursday, June 4, for cultural day, with a series of cultural and dramatic performances presented by the Faculty of Arts, to showcase the aesthetics of learning and culture of the institution.  The anniversary event themed; "65th years of legacy of excellence: honoring the past and looking ahead to the futur e" — vividly portrays the impacts of the university on academics, research, innovation, leadership building, national development and international relevance since its establishment in June 1961 as a result of the report submitted to the Federal Government in September, 1960, by a Commission it appointed in April 1959 under the Chairmanship of Sir Eric Ashby, Master of Clare College, Cambridge, to survey the needs of post-...

                  John Alabi  The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has ordered the commencement of all academic activities, following the Senate meeting held on Thursday, May 14, where the issue of resumption was explicitly discussed. The resumption and academic activities commencement resolution was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Registrar of the University, which reads: “After an exhaustive deliberation on the matter, the Senate agreed that students should resume on Tuesday, May 19, and all academic activities will commence immediately.” Recall that the ICONS Organization reported that a 3-week mid-semester break was declared by the University management on April 27, via a statement issued by the Office of the Public Relations Officer of the institution, in response to a peaceful protest staged by students demanding an improved and convenient transportation system, as well as a halt to th...

             John Alabi & Fawas Adedeji  Earlier today, the office of the Welfare Director of the Great Ife Students' Union, held the maiden international health conference, tagged "Surviving to Succeed: Addressing Health, Well-being, and Welfare Challenges in the Student Environment," at Hotel De Treasure Event Centre, Ibadan road. This event, as  convened by the union Welfare Director, Musab Osunleke, was organised to create awareness about students' mental health, and ways to monitor their well being in the midst of their various academic pursuits and expectations.  Prominent speakers and panelists at the event include the Managing Partner, Interdym Rutgers, at the State University of New Jersey, USA, Dr. Bashir Agboola, as the keynote speaker. Dr Oluwagbemi, a consultant family physician at Iwosan Lagoon Hospital, the Director of Nursing services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Bernice Aketi, Dr. George Uchen...

              Taiwo Adelusi & Phebe Ojewande  The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) electronic portal (OAU e-portal), which was recently replaced by a new one in April, has sparked mixed reactions among students, in less than a week after its upgrading.  While the upgrade was intended to improve digital infrastructures, several students argue that the new e-portal introduces fresh challenges alongside its improvements. This report compares both the old and new OAU e-portal, examining their features, limitations, and the experiences of students. For nearly two decades, the university’s former portal served as the primary digital hub for students. This system was developed internally by the university’s ICT expert and it was one of the “in-house” university e-portal in Nigeria.  The old e-portal handled key aspects of the student life cycle including course registration, hostel balloting and also dissemination of info...

             Michael Olawuyi & Blessed Elemikan ‎At exactly 5:46 p.m. on Monday 27 April, the atmosphere of the emergency Congress held at the Awo Hall Cafe was quite intense, following the opening prayer by Congressman Velocity and Longman, and an apology from the Union President for starting slightly behind schedule. This was immediately followed by a poignant moment of silence for a recently deceased Part 4 student of the College of Health Sciences, the focus then shifted rapidly to the living and the hardship students now forcefully endure daily, as a result of the new transport system. ‎Although there were mentions of the current Awo Hall evacuation crisis and the death of the medical student formerly mentioned, the central theme of the Congress was the transition from a boycott to a demonstration. Congressman Tolu suggested a peaceful protest for Tuesday morning, to compel the management to take student demands seriously. The Unio...

                Blessed Elemikan   On Saturday 25th April, the Association of Campus Journalist Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), held the 2026 edition of her annual oratory contest. The contest, which was billed to start by 10 am, was delayed by over half an hour due to the change of venue.  In the light to commence the debate, Esther Olatimeyin, the ACJOAU President welcomes and addresses all participants that will be representing their various news agencies, while introducing the judges, Isaiah Adepoju and Thomas Ajake, for the oratory contest.  Sequel to the introduction, a total of nine news agencies under ACJOAU, including the ICONS Organization, NASELS Communication Bureau(NCB), Infocus, OAU KILONSHELE, OAU PEEPS, NAPSS, GIN, and ASPOB, are all ready to participate in the contest. The contest was divided into two phases; the first stage, where participants were given impromptu questions to debate on with a...

            John Alabi  The Great Ife Students Union, has announced the demise of a Part 4 student of the College of Health Sciences, Oreoluwa Adewale, whose cause of death, as at press time remains unknown. Oreoluwa was reported to have collapsed, just as he was about to commence his oral medical examination, while efforts to revive him with medical means proved futile. The release described Oreoluwa Adewale as “a brilliant mind,” and the impact of his death is so immense that it is a reminder of the fleeting and futile nature of life. It says, “this unexpected and unimaginable event has shaken our campus to its core, reminding us once again of the fleeting nature of life.” The Union considered his death a great loss for the university community, extending condolences and sympathy to the family, colleagues, and the Ife Medical Students Association (IFUMSA) at large.  “We specifically commiserate with the Medical Students...

                John Alabi  In the late hours of Thursday, 23 April, the Chairman of the Awolowo Hall of Residence, Lateef Akeem, and a few other executives of the hall, announced the proposed renovation of certain blocks in the hall, which they say would come with an immediate eviction of the residents of these blocks, effective from Friday, 24th April. According to the Chairman, the directive came directly from the Division of Students Affairs (DSA), mandating an eviction of all residents of Block 7 and 8 of the hall, respectively. The renovation, he further explained, is set to commence on Monday, 27 April, however, the mandatory eviction must be compulsory by tomorrow.  This announcement was met with great dissatisfaction, displeasure, mixed reactions and responses from the residents, particularly the affected students, who described the announcement as an impromptu, unplanned and unreasonable move, referencing how the Un...

                  Blessed Elemikan Great Ife Students' Union, on Tuesday 14 April, held the second Congress of the Rain Semester at Fajuyi Hall Cafe, to further deliberate on recent issues plaguing students, ranging from transportation to academic issues.  The Congress started at 5 p.m. with the Students Union President, David Adelani (Itabi), explaining that the new transport system was what led to the 72-hour lecture boycott. He further stated that negotiations are expected between the Union and the university management soon. Itabi further enjoined students to remain the intellectual fighters whom they have always been; no violence or vandalism should be reported on account of students' demonstrations. Propositions And Submissions When congressmen were granted the opportunity of suggesting solutions to the transport problems, Comrade Natty from the faculty of Administration, proposed that the “town-gboro” buses be returne...

               Blessed Elemikan Amidst the ongoing 72-hour lecture boycott directive of the GreatIfe Students Union, various faculty associations, including FADSA, FOSSSA, FASA, LSS, ESAN, amongst others, have shown solidarity to the union's stands, by issuing public statements urging the students of their association to comply with the Students' Union directives.               PANS OAU Recall that the boycott started on Tuesday,14 April, and is expected to last through Thursday, April 16, such that no academic activities are held on campus, within the stipulated hours.             NASS OAU As it stands, the students association of the Faculty of Law, Social Sciences, Administration, Pharmacy, and a few others, have released statements showing support for the Union's boycott and encouraging their members to follow suit.    ...