Students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife staged a protest on Monday, disrupting an orientation event for new students by expelling representatives of former Vice Chancellor Professor Wale Omole.

The protest, held at Oduduwa Hall, was sparked by lingering tensions from the 1999 cult-related murders of five students on campus, including George Iwilade, known as Afrika.

The delegation, led by Oba ‘Kole Ojutalayo, the Laaroke of Wanikin, represented the Omole Foundation at the orientation. However, as they arrived, students, backed by the Student Union, confronted the group, chanting slogans and demanding that they leave. The students argued that Omole’s past as Vice Chancellor during the 1999 killings disqualified his foundation from addressing them, citing unresolved allegations regarding his role in the tragedy.

Student Union Public Relations Officer Aka Daniel confirmed the protest, noting, “The students chased out the representatives because of suspicions that he may have had something to do with the 1999 incident.”

Reacting to the incident, OAU spokesperson Abiodun Olanrewaju expressed disapproval, calling the students’ actions “unfortunate.” He emphasized that the Omole Foundation, not Professor Omole himself, was present at the event.