First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled the first phase of her pledge to her alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, by donating 21 new shuttle buses to the institution.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Ile-Ife by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju.
Olanrewaju said the donation was part of a total pledge of 50 buses earlier promised by the First Lady. He added that the delivery came exactly one year after she announced the donation during a commemorative event in 2024.
He explained that the intervention marked a significant step toward modernising the university’s internal transportation system, which had long relied on commercial motorcycles.
The PRO recalled that the initiative began in October 2024 when Senator Tinubu, during the 50th birthday celebration of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, expressed concern over the unsafe and inefficient transportation system within the campus.
“She described the dominance of motorcycles as unbefitting of a 21st-century world-class African university,” Olanrewaju said.
He noted that Senator Tinubu pledged to overhaul the system by donating shuttle buses that would enhance safety, improve aesthetics, and promote a more conducive learning environment.
“The arrival of the first batch of the white-coloured buses on October 10 transformed the pledge into reality, drawing excited onlookers across the campus,” the statement added.
Receiving the vehicles, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, expressed deep gratitude to the First Lady, describing the gesture as “a luminous act of benevolence that illuminates the path toward institutional excellence.”
Bamire noted that the donation represented a major investment in the welfare of students and staff, adding that the buses would replace unsafe motorcycle operations within the campus.
“For too long, our transportation system has been at the mercy of commercial motorcyclists, exposing our community to needless hazards,” he said. “These 21 shuttle buses, with 29 more to come, will revolutionise our internal mobility, enhance safety, and promote efficiency.”
He said the buses would operate on designated routes linking lecture halls, hostels, administrative buildings, and recreational areas, thereby reducing congestion and accidents.
Bamire added that the project would also promote environmental sustainability by phasing out high-emission motorcycles and introducing eco-friendly transport practices.
“This development goes beyond mobility; it fosters inclusivity, community pride, and environmental responsibility,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
He urged other alumni to emulate Senator Tinubu’s example by supporting the university through infrastructure upgrades, research funding, and mentorship.
“As Nigerian universities face financial and infrastructural challenges, acts of philanthropy like this are crucial. Senator Tinubu’s intervention addresses a pressing need and sets a precedent for others to follow,” Bamire said.
