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Students of Lagos State University (LASU) have urged the school management to postpone the ongoing second semester examinations until the conclusion of the nine-day Oro festival rites currently taking place in Iba Kingdom, the institution’s host community.

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The appeal came yesterday as students expressed concerns over the clash between academic activities and the traditional rites, which they said posed disruptions and safety challenges.

Investigations by The Guardian revealed that the Oniba of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji-Ashade, in conjunction with the elders of the community, had formally notified the university of the annual festival. The rites, which commenced last week, were scheduled to run for nine days, with specific restrictions on Monday, August 25, and Friday, August 29, 2025, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

In response, the university management issued an advisory to both students and staff, cautioning against unnecessary movement within the Iba community during the restricted hours. The notice further directed that academic, administrative, and personal activities be scheduled outside the affected timeframe.

The circular, signed by the Coordinator of the Centre for Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, urged everyone to remain vigilant and law-abiding.

“The university remains committed to the safety and welfare of all members of the LASU community. We encourage all staff and students to exercise caution and cooperate fully during this period,” the statement read.

Despite this, students insisted that the arrangements were insufficient and pleaded for a temporary suspension of examinations

Emmanuel, a 300-level student of business administration who resides off-campus at Obadore, expressed his frustrations.

“The school management initially assured us that the examinations would not be postponed but would be shifted to times outside the Oro festival hours. Later, they instructed us to get to school between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. before the rites begin. For students like me who stay far away, this has been extremely stressful,” he said.

Another student, who preferred anonymity, also highlighted the risks.

“We are not against tradition, but our safety must also be considered. The timing of the Oro rites makes it very difficult to move around, especially for students staying outside Iba. Postponing the exams until the festival is over would be the best option.”

The students emphasized that while they respect the cultural practices of their host community, academic schedules should take such realities into account to prevent undue pressure and safety concerns.

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