Ile-Ife, Osun State — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 50 buses and 30 tricycles to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in a major intervention aimed at addressing transportation challenges within the sprawling campus.
The donation, which includes compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses, is designed to improve mobility for students, staff and visitors, while also promoting cleaner and more cost-effective transportation.
Speaking during the unveiling and commissioning of the vehicles, representatives of the First Lady said the gesture was part of her commitment to supporting education, easing the welfare burden on students and enhancing learning environments in tertiary institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, expressed deep appreciation to Mrs Tinubu, describing the donation as timely and impactful. According to him, inadequate transportation has long been a major concern for the university community, and the new buses and tricycles will significantly reduce delays, overcrowding and transport costs on campus.
Also speaking, the Students’ Union leadership hailed the intervention, noting that transportation difficulties have often affected lecture attendance and overall campus life. They described the donation as a welcome relief that would positively impact academic and social activities.
The event attracted dignitaries, including traditional rulers and government officials, among them the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Osun State First Lady, who commended Mrs Tinubu for her continuous support for education and youth development.
The donation fulfils a pledge earlier made by the First Lady and underscores her broader advocacy for sustainable development, education advancement and improved welfare across Nigeria’s institutions.
