FUOYE students storm FERMA office, protest bad roads, colleagues’ deaths

Students from the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), protested on Monday at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) office in Ado Ekiti, demanding immediate repairs to the Ifaki–Oye–Ikole Road following a series of fatal accidents involving their peers.

Carrying placards, the students issued FERMA and the Federal Government a 48-hour ultimatum to begin repairs, threatening to block the road if their demands were not met.

Led by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Mary Abiodun, the students highlighted the severe toll the deteriorating road has taken on their community, including the recent loss of over 10 students. Among their placards were messages like “FUOYE students’ lives matter,” “Repair Oye-Ikole federal road now,” and “President Tinubu, save our students’ lives.”

In a statement, Abiodun condemned the road’s deplorable state, calling it a “daily death trap” for students, staff, and locals. She added, “The Oye–Ikole Road is a key link between Abuja and southwestern states, yet it remains in disrepair, causing frequent accidents, loss of life, and hardship. FERMA’s negligence is unacceptable.”

FERMA’s Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, Simon Adeniyi, expressed regret for the students’ losses, explaining that the Federal Government had awarded the contract for the road’s reconstruction, with work to start soon. “The road will be built as a concrete road instead of the usual asphalt. Meanwhile, FERMA will begin palliative repairs shortly,” he said, assuring the students that both temporary and long-term solutions are in motion.