Fallen Tree Branches Continue to Obstruct Health Centre–‘As E Dey Hot’ Route Weeks After Heavy Rainfall

By Omotola Lydia

Following the heavy rainfall that befell the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus in the early hours of Thursday, April 17th, 2025, several tree branches felled by strong winds continue to obstruct the route between the Health Centre area and the popular ‘As E Dey Hot’ location.

More than two weeks after the incident, the massive tree debris remains uncleared by school authorities, causing significant inconvenience and forcing many students to reroute or even climb over the obstructing branches to pass through the area.

Fallen Tree Between Health Centre and As E Dey Hot

The blocked path is a major short route for students from halls of residence such as Alumni, Postgraduate, Mozambique, and Angola Halls heading towards the academic area. The route, previously a convenient shortcut for many hostel residents, has now become a source of daily frustration with students expressing concern at the delayed response by the university management. 

Speaking with OAUPeeps, students shared their experiences and dissatisfaction with the delayed response."I went to the chemistry lab for a practical and had to hurry back to Mozambique Hall to get my sneakers," recounted Busayo, a Nursing student. "I had forgotten that the branch had blocked the road and mistakenly passed there. I was so pissed and angry; I had to turn around and take the longer road."

Another student, Phoebe, also from Mozambique Hall, expressed similar frustrations: "It’s not easy to pass there if I'm not wearing trousers. When I wear a tight dress, I have to raise my legs to cross the fallen branch. If you're passing there, you have to make sure you dust your legs afterwards because there are ants on the branch. Otherwise, you have to pass the long road."

An anonymous student added: "The fact that a branch has been there for weeks without action makes the environment look ugly. I have to raise my legs awkwardly when passing. I think the management should urgently do something about it."

It would be recalled that ACJOAU earlier reported how the same heavy rainfall removed roofing sheets at Alumni Hall, with renovation efforts immediately following. However, despite that quick intervention in the Hall of Residence, no visible action has been taken on the blocked pathway.

As of press time, the debris remains uncleared, leaving students to continue to call on the school management to urgently clear the obstruction and restore free movement along the route.