Students at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, took to the streets on Tuesday, staging a protest that brought the institution to a standstill. The demonstration, which saw a large turnout of students, was sparked by the university's decision to relocate the Department of Anatomy and Physiology to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
The students, who were adamant about protecting the integrity of their medical program, expressed their discontent through songs, placards, and impassioned speeches. Many of the protesters emphasized that the relocation would not only undermine the medical sciences but also jeopardize their future careers. Placards carried by the students bore messages such as "LAUTECH!!! Don't Separate Physiology from Medicine," "Protect the Integrity of Medical Sciences," and "Physiology belongs to Basic Medical Sciences."
According to an internal memo obtained by PUNCH Online, the university's senate had approved the relocation, citing the need for the move. The memo, signed by Olayinka O. Balogun (Mrs) and copied to the Vice-Chancellor, stated that the decision was made to facilitate career progression for non-medical staff members.
However, the students were not convinced by the rationale behind the relocation and vowed to continue their protest until the decision is reversed. "We won't be silenced," read one of the placards, as the students made it clear that they would not back down.
The protest has caused significant disruption to academic activities, with the main entrance to the university blocked by the demonstrators. As of press time, the university's Public Relations Officer, Lekan Fadeyi, was unavailable for comment, leaving the students' concerns unaddressed.
The standoff between the students and the university administration highlights the deep-seated concerns about the future of medical education at LAUTECH. As the protest continues, students are urging the university management to reconsider their decision and prioritize the interests of the medical students.
