- Students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology barricaded the main entrance in protest against the relocation of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology
- The university Senate approved moving the department from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at its January 21, 2026 meeting
- Protesters argued that Anatomy and Physiology were core Basic Medical Sciences and vowed to continue demonstrations until the decision was reversed
Students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Tuesday barricaded the main entrance of the institution in protest against the relocation of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
The protesting students gathered in large numbers at the university gate, singing solidarity songs and displaying placards to register their displeasure over the decision taken by the university authorities.
Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as: “LAUTECH!!! Don’t Separate Physiology from Medicine. Protect the Integrity of Medical Sciences. Physiology belongs to Basic Medical Sciences. Our Discipline Is Not Experimental. LAUTECH!! We Won’t Be Silenced.”
An internal memo obtained in Ibadan, the state capital, indicated that the university Senate had approved the move at its meeting held on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
“The Senate, at its meeting held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, considered and approved that the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, as required, be moved from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences,” the memo stated.
The decision has, however, sparked strong opposition from students who argue that Anatomy and Physiology are core components of Basic Medical Sciences and should remain within the medical college to preserve academic integrity and professional alignment.
The memo, signed by Olayinka O. Balogun (Mrs) and copied to the Vice-Chancellor, further explained that non-medical staff members attached to the department would also be transferred to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences to facilitate career progression.
“It was also approved that the non-medical staff members should equally move to the above-named faculty for ease of career progression.
“Consequent upon the approval of the Senate, I write to inform you that the Department of Anatomy and Physiology has been moved to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences. Your support and cooperation in ensuring a smooth transition is highly appreciated,” the memo added.
Despite the explanation provided by the university management, students maintain that the relocation undermines the structure of medical training within the institution. They have vowed to sustain the protest until the decision is reversed.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Lekan Fadeyi, for comment were unsuccessful.
The situation remains tense, with students insisting that the authorities reconsider the policy in the interest of academic standards and professional coherence within the medical sciences.