For thousands of students and staff who struggle daily to move around the University of Ilorin campus, relief may finally be in sight.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has unveiled five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and 20 electric tricycles to tackle the university’s long-standing transportation challenges.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at the new motor park on campus, Egbewole said the move was aimed at restoring order, improving efficiency and placing campus transportation fully under the university’s control.
According to the university’s weekly bulletin signed by the Director of Corporate Services, Mr Kunle Akogun, the transport crisis experienced last year followed the relocation of the motor park—a decision the VC described as “strategic and necessary” for the institution’s long-term growth.
“Though the relocation came with resistance and initial hardship, it was done to protect the university’s master plan and position UNILORIN as a world-class institution,” Egbewole said.
He expressed optimism that the university community would soon appreciate the benefits, noting that the new motor park had already seen significant improvements, with plans underway to build a shopping mall within the facility before the end of the year.
The VC explained that the transport problem was not just about a lack of vehicles but also issues of coordination and attitude.
“I personally monitor activities at the park and sometimes arrive as early as 6:00 am to ensure things work as they should,” he said.
Under the new arrangement, all transport operators on campus will operate strictly under university supervision to ensure punctuality, reliability and smooth movement, especially during peak hours.
Egbewole praised UNILORIN students for remaining calm and patient during the transition period.
“At no time did our students turn against the institution despite the challenges,” he said.
He also thanked the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for providing the 20 electric tricycles through TETFund, adding that more CNG buses were expected. He acknowledged Starlink Global & Ideal Limited for its N200 million intervention to support the transport reform.
Earlier, the Acting Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Alex Akanmu, said the initiative aligned with the Vice-Chancellor’s 2026 strategic plans and was designed to improve staff and student welfare while curbing extortion and other sharp practices.
Students’ Union President, Adelu Ayomo, described the development as a major step toward solving transportation issues on campus, praising management for listening to students and offering “practical solutions.”
“In many schools, situations like this lead to protests, but UNILORIN students stayed calm and cooperative,” he said.
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