Oluremi Tinubu Donates 21 Buses to OAU, Fulfills One-Year Pledge

 

 

According to a report by Punch on Sunday, October 12, 2025, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has taken delivery of 21 new shuttle buses donated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The buses arrived exactly one year after she pledged support to the university during a visit in October 2024.

The donation marks a major upgrade to the school’s transportation system, which has long relied on commercial motorcycles for intra-campus movement.

The buses form part of a larger commitment of 50 vehicles made by the First Lady, herself an alumna of OAU.

Her initial promise was made during the 50th birthday celebration of the Ooni of Ife, held at the university, where she expressed concern about the unsafe and outdated transportation options available to students and staff.

She noted that using motorcycles on campus was not suitable for an institution that aims to maintain world-class standards.

According to the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the arrival of the first batch of shuttle buses sparked excitement within the university community.

Students and staff welcomed the vehicles as a sign of long-awaited progress in campus infrastructure and safety.

Following the delivery, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Simeon Bamire, alongside other top officials of the institution, took part in a ceremonial test drive to formally inaugurate the use of the buses.

The vice-chancellor praised the donation as a meaningful contribution to the university’s future and a vital step in improving the day-to-day experience of campus life.

Bamire stressed that the new buses would help phase out unregulated motorcycle operations on campus, reducing the risks associated with them.

He added that the vehicles would be deployed on dedicated routes linking key areas such as lecture theatres, hostels, administrative offices, and recreational centres.

The improvement, he noted, will significantly reduce traffic congestion, boost road safety, and provide a more dignified and efficient means of movement.

“This donation will drastically enhance road safety by phasing out unregulated motorcycles, enforcing structured timetables, and integrating eco-friendly practices that align with our vision of a sustainable campus,” Bamire said.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting structured and potentially greener transport solutions.

The vice-chancellor encouraged other alumni to follow the First Lady’s example, noting that collective effort is essential to advancing the university’s development goals.