KEY POINTS
- The First Lady has donated 50 CNG buses to OAU to address transportation challenges on campus.
- The buses were inaugurated for immediate use as part of efforts to improve mobility and promote cleaner energy transport.
- University management and students welcomed the intervention, saying it will ease movement and improve campus life.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 50 compressed natural gas, CNG, buses to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of efforts to ease persistent transportation challenges faced by students and staff on the campus.
The CNG-powered buses were unveiled and inaugurated on Thursday at the university’s sports arena, marking their immediate deployment into the institution’s transport system.
The donation forms part of a broader intervention aimed at improving mobility within the large university environment, where long distances between hostels, lecture theatres, and administrative buildings often pose difficulties for commuters.
Alongside the 50 CNG buses, the First Lady also donated 30 tricycles to further strengthen campus transportation, but the buses are expected to serve as the backbone of the new mobility support.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several traditional rulers and dignitaries, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Osun State First Lady, Titilayo Adeleke; and Kafayat Oyetola, wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, among others.
Vehicles Inaugurated for Immediate Use
Senator Tinubu formally commissioned the buses for immediate operation, signalling that students and staff would begin to benefit from the new fleet without delay.
The initiative aligns with the federal government’s broader push for cleaner energy alternatives and the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport option.
OAU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, expressed appreciation to the First Lady, describing her as a consistent supporter of the institution’s development.
He noted that the CNG buses would significantly reduce transportation stress for members of the university community and enhance overall campus life.
Similarly, OAU Students’ Union President, Oluwatodimu David, said the buses would make daily movement across campus easier and more affordable for students and staff.
He also acknowledged other contributions by Senator Tinubu to the university, including beautification projects and the renovation of the Amphitheatre, describing her as a strong ally of the OAU community.
