Students from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) staged a protest at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) office in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, demanding immediate repairs to the Oye-Ikole Federal Road, which they claim has become a deadly hazard for commuters.
The protest followed the recent death of a final-year student, identified as Ohonsi Williams Ehigie, who reportedly lost his life due to the road’s poor condition. Students are calling for urgent action to address the safety concerns on the heavily trafficked Oye-Ekiti-Ikole route, a key corridor linking Abuja to several southwestern states.
The road is notorious for its dilapidated state, with frequent use by large vehicles, including tankers and trucks transporting goods for companies like Dangote Cement and Mikano.
Amid chants and placards bearing slogans like “Save the future of our country” and “President Tinubu, save FUOYE students’ lives,” the students marched to FERMA’s office located on New Iyin Road. Leading the protest, FUOYE Students’ Union President, Lady Comrade Abiodun Mary, voiced the students’ outrage over the road’s deterioration and FERMA’s failure to address it.
“This road has become a daily death trap for students, staff, and the people of Oye-Ekiti,” Mary said. “FERMA’s inaction has cost lives, including that of our beloved alumnus, Ohonsi Williams Ehigie. We cannot tolerate this negligence any longer.”
The students issued a 48-hour ultimatum to FERMA and the Federal Government to begin immediate repairs on the road. They are demanding that all potholes be filled, and that proper road maintenance be implemented to prevent further accidents.
In response, Simeon Adeniyi, a representative of FERMA, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased student and reassured protesters that plans to repair the road were already underway.
“A month ago, the Federal Executive Council approved the reconstruction of this road, and contractors will soon mobilize to the site,” Adeniyi said. “This will be a durable concrete road, not a flexible pavement. In the meantime, we are working on palliative measures to address the current state of the road.”
FERMA has pledged that the much-needed repairs will begin shortly, with ongoing discussions to finalize arrangements with contractors. The agency has assured the students that the Federal Government remains committed to improving the safety of the Oye-Ikole road.
