Tension rose at the main gate of Obafemi Awolowo University on Wednesday morning as members of the Ife Mini Bus Association, popularly known as Sabo Lagere, staged a peaceful protest over the continued restriction barring them from entering the university campus.
The transport operators, under the aegis of Egbe Awako Sabo Lagere, Ilu Ile-Ife, expressed deep concern over what they described as a sudden and prolonged ban that has lasted for over a month, disrupting their operations and livelihoods. According to the association, the restriction has not only affected their income but has also created ripple effects across the local economy of Ile-Ife.
In a statement released during the protest, the group appealed directly to the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, as well as prominent elders and stakeholders in the ancient city, to urgently intervene in the matter.
“At this time, we are appealing to our father, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and all the elders of Ile-Ife to please intervene on our behalf regarding the matter and decision of the management of Obafemi Awolowo University to stop our Ife Mini Buses from entering their premises for over a month now,” the statement read.
The association further revealed concerns over alleged plans by the university management to introduce alternative transport operators within the campus, potentially displacing the long-standing Sabo Lagere system which, according to them, has served the university community for over four decades.
“We also heard that they intend to bring in other vehicles to operate within the premises instead of us, who have been serving there for forty (40) years,” the group added.
Describing the situation as an economic threat to many families and stakeholders dependent on the transport system, the operators emphasized the broader implications for Ile-Ife’s socio-economic stability.
Despite their grievances, the protest remained peaceful, with participants calling for dialogue, fairness, and recognition of their historical role within the university transport ecosystem.
The statement concluded with a strong message of unity and hope for the future of the ancient city:
“Ile-Ife will not be destroyed. Ile-Ife will not suffer loss. Ile-Ife will continue to progress.”
As of the time of filing this report, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University has not issued an official response regarding the protest or the claims made by the transport operators.
This development highlights growing tensions between institutional policy decisions and long-standing local economic structures, raising important questions about inclusion, transition planning, and stakeholder engagement in university-community relations.
For many in Ile-Ife, the outcome of this matter could set a precedent for how legacy systems are treated in the face of modernization and administrative reforms.
