Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Monday staged a peaceful protest by blocking the institution's main entrance gate over the non-issuance of student identity cards.

The demonstration, which prevented vehicles from accessing the campus, brought vehicular and commercial activities to a standstill along the busy Ife-Ede Road.

According to an open letter made available to the press and signed by the Students' Union President, Isaac Omoboriowo, and two other union officials, the ID card issue has been persistently raised since the beginning of the first semester.

"From then until now, the ninth week of the second semester, the Students' Union has consistently engaged the university management on the failure to produce and distribute identity cards to students," the letter stated.

The students highlighted several consequences of not having identification cards, including harassment by police and military personnel, loss of scholarship and job opportunities due to inability to verify student status, and complications for graduating students preparing for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

With examinations approaching, the student body has issued an ultimatum to the university administration. "If the university fails to issue ID cards to all students before the commencement of examinations, students will not sit for any examination," the union leadership declared.

The students emphasized that their protest was not a threat but "a legitimate demand" and "a stand against administrative negligence."

In response, OAU Vice Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire, speaking through J. Odedire, the Dean of Student Affairs, assured that the university is committed to providing students with a conducive academic environment.

The Vice Chancellor explained that the delay in issuing ID cards was due to "logistics of the incorporation of the smart features embedded in the ID card." He promised that the issue has been addressed with the production company, and the first batch of ID cards would be delivered by Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Prof. Bamire further assured that the university would do everything within its power to ensure students' rights are not compromised in any way.