Aregbesola and Ajimobi do not want you to protest on Monday

Update: A correction was made to this post. The organizer of the mass action was corrected to 'Save Education and Reopen Lautech Coalition (SERAL-C)' from 'Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neoliberal Attack (ANSA).'
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While Lautech students have been making plans to embark on a mass protest on Monday 9th against the closure of the institution for the past 7 months, Oyo and Osun state government seem to have been making other plans.

Yesterday, they presented a jointly signed statement to journalists advising students, parents and guardians to “resist the temptation to resort to self-help and/or any action that may precipitate disruption of law and order,” in other words telling them to avoid protests.

Although it is unclear if this statement means measures will be taken to counter the protest, many students are hesitant to participate due to fear of a recurrence of what happened during the last protest where Police fired shots and tear gas at the protesting students.


Addressing these concerns, one the pioneer of the ReopenLautech movement who preferred to remain anonymous told Proudly Ladokite that journalists and other members of the press will be on ground during the mass action. Their presence will, hopefully, deter any attack on the protesters.

Also, the statement did not hint any date for the resolution of the strike, instead it went on to repeat what they had been saying for the past seven months. They talked about their ‘commitment to the joint ownership of LAUTECH, including its continued funding and comprehensive review of its finances.’

“With the steps already taken by the two owner governments, we are confident that the unfortunate situation in the institution will be resolved,” they said

The governors said they are awaiting the report of the Visitation Panel headed by Chief Wole Olanipeku (SAN). The Visitation Panel was set up in October 2016 to review LAUTECH finances and recommend possible solutions, however, according to our sources, the review which was supposed to last for a few weeks has extended for over 2 months, creeping into the new year.

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The mass action scheduled to hold on monday, Jan 9th across ogbomoso and osun state is being organized by a group, Save Education and Reopen Lautech Coalition (SERAL-C).

A leader of the group said transportation has also been made to convey students to the venue of the mass action. These include Lagos, Osun, Ogbomoso and Oyo town.

For details and update of mobilization, calls can be put through the organizers on 07051045577.