OAU SUG update on new campus transportation system

In the past week, the University community has been gripped by widespread frustration over the newly introduced transportation system. Following the generous donation of 80 vehicles by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the School Management moved swiftly to overhaul the existing transport system, restricting campus movement exclusively to the donated CNG buses and tricycles. 

While we acknowledge the intention behind this intervention, the reality on the ground has fallen far short of expectations. With over 30,000 students relying on a limited fleet, many, especially those in distant off-campus locations, have faced long queues, delayed commutes, unsustainable costs, and genuine hardship.

True to our mandate to protect the welfare of all students, the Students’ Union Leadership initiated a formal consultation phase. Yesterday, we held an extensive meeting with the University Management and The Proprietor of the partner company managing the CNG buses. 

We presented our grievances with concrete evidence: insufficiency of the fleet, video footage of sustainability challenges, and direct testimonies/curses from students on cost implications, ticketing inefficiencies, and the lack of flexibility during emergencies. 

We also demanded clarifications on the number of drivers, routes, and overall operational modality, while strongly advocating for a more inclusive, hybrid system that takes the realities of the community into account.

Key Issues and Management’s Position

School Management assured us that projections had been made prior to implementation and that the system is designed to handle up to 20,000 students within two hours in a worst-case scenario, with a target waiting time of no more than five minutes during peak periods. 

They described the current phase as a “teething period” and promised that more buses would be procured within the next three months. On sustainability, they confirmed that CNG buses can switch to petrol and that battery issues with the tricycles have now been rectified. The ticketing policy, they explained, is meant to improve accountability, though they acknowledged that ticket quality and automation will be enhanced in the coming weeks.

However, on several critical concerns we raised, the responses were less reassuring. No immediate cushioning measures were offered for students in off-campus areas (Mayfair, AP, Lagere) who now face significantly higher fares from commercial operators outside the University’s regulatory reach. On emergencies, they asked students to rely on the Health Centre ambulance or QRS services, while framing the new system as a tool to instill punctuality and discipline. The decision to permanently evacuate commercial bikemen was also reaffirmed, despite the current gaps in service coverage.

The Leadership of the Union notes these positions. While we appreciate the efforts to modernize campus transportation, the new system has exposed clear shortcomings in planning and execution. These shortcomings continue to impose real hardship on the very students the system is meant to serve.

Our Standpoint Moving Forward

The Union is now going into a maximum one-week Observatory Mode. With students resuming at full capacity on Tuesday, we will continue to closely monitor the system’s performance, gather comprehensive feedback from students, and assess both its viability and flaws.

We therefore call on all students to remain calm, patient, and law-abiding during this period. Avoid any actions that could be misconstrued or escalate tensions. Continue to document your experiences especially during peak hours as your observations will form the bedrock of our next line of action.

We remain committed to engaging the School Management constructively until a truly efficient, student-friendly, and sustainable transportation system is achieved. We will not rest until the welfare and convenience of every student are adequately addressed.

Thank you for your continued support, patience and cooperation. 

Together, we shall overcome this challenge.