Month After Donation, CNG Buses Still Not in Operation

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               Taiwo Oyedeji

More than a month after the donation of 21 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to Obafemi Awolowo University by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the vehicles are yet to commence operations on campus. The continued delay has triggered growing concerns among students who question why the buses remain unused despite earlier public announcements about their arrival.

The CNG buses were initially celebrated as a major step toward improving mobility and reducing transportation challenges within the institution. Yet, the vehicles have not begin operation, prompting frustration from students who thought of relying on it.

In a bid to seek clarity about the unavailability of these buses, ICONS reporters engaged with the Great Ife Students'Union Transport Management Committee in an interview, to get clarification on questions raised by students.

Speaking in the interview, the Chairman of the Great Ife Students’ Union Transport Management Committee (TMC), Fatoyinbo Azeez, attributed the delay to the incomplete delivery of the buses promised to the institution.

 “In the last discussion held with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, she assured us that the remaining 29 CNG buses will be sent soon.” 

He further explained that while plans for deploying the buses have already been drafted, the 21 vehicles delivered so far are insufficient to adequately serve the university’s large student population. According to him, “the target is to have at least 80 means of mobility operating within the campus.”

Fatoyinbo also disclosed that the institution currently possess 10 CNG tricycles, acquired during the administration of former Students' Union President, Omoboriowo Damilola (Dr. Bush). An additional 20 tricycles are still expected, alongside the 50 CNG buses promised by the First Lady.

Speaking further on the modus operandi of the CNG buses and tricycles, the TMC chairman revealed that a new transport system is expected to take effect next year to replace the existing “town-gbooro buses and motorcycles,” which have been linked to recurring security concerns on campus. 

  picture of one the 10 CNG tricycles acquired during Dr Bush led administration, taken at the OAU central market the day it was mobilized to campus.


“If everything goes as planned, the town-gbooro bus and motorcycles will no longer exist on campus, they will only work outside campus, conveying students to campus gate.”

Under the proposed system, the new CNG buses will operate from the campus gate to Bus Stop (Road 1), while the CNG-powered tricycles will cover all inner routes on campus, fares will be subsidized, although the exact rates are yet to be finalized.

Responding to questions about the lack of updates to the student body, Fatoyinbo said the committee chose to maintain silence to avoid giving premature or misleading information.

 “We have been silent because we can’t make fake promises to our students. We are still expecting the buses,” he explained.

He emphasised that the TMC does not intend to introduce a transport system that is unreliable or inadequate for student needs — “We need at least 80 transportation means to get started. If everything goes as planned, by January, the buses and tricycles will start working.”

Fatoyinbo concluded by reaffirming the committee’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient rollout of the new buses once the full number has been delivered. He insisted that the TMC would not rush the deployment until all necessary resources are in place to guarantee a functional, safe, and reliable transport system for Great Ife students.

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