New Era of Transportation Dawn’s with CNG

New Era of Transportation Dawn’s with CNG

A group of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and Electric Kekes (E-Keke) earlier promised are being officially launched today for the Unilorites.

This marks a major milestone in the University’s commitment to ease of movement, reduced transportation stress, and a cleaner, more sustainable campus, with the introduction of these modern transport options.

Unilorites are encouraged to make proper use of these services as we usher in a new phase of efficient and eco-friendly campus transportation.

Further information on operational details will be communicated as necessary.

The University expect more of these vehicles to ensure a more efficient transportation system for all Unilorites.

For a student at the University of Ilorin, the word “transportation” isn’t just about movement; it is a visceral experience of physical endurance and mental strain. The struggle begins in the pre-dawn darkness of places like Tanke, Oke-Odo, and Sanrab, where students gather as early as 5:00 AM to face the “sea of heads” at the motor park.

This morning ritual involves standing in lines that stretch for hundreds of meters, a “gradual crawl” that often lasts two to three hours before a student even smells the interior of a bus. By the time they finally secure a seat, many have already lost the energy required for a full day of academic work.

The suffering is compounded by the harsh Nigerian climate. Whether under the punishing heat of a 2:00 PM sun or the choking dust of the harmattan season, students remain pinned to these queues, their clothes damp with sweat and their bodies aching from hours of standing.

This physical exhaustion leads to what some describe as a form of “PTSD” regarding the park. It is common to see students desperately flagging down private cars with the hopeful cry of “PS, Sir!” (Permanent Site), risking their safety for a lift just to avoid missing an exam or a mandatory attendance sheet.

The mental toll is equally heavy. The constant “hustle and tussle” to prevent others from “shunting” jumping the queue creates an atmosphere of high tension and hostility.

For those who live off-campus, the day doesn’t end when lectures do; it simply resets into a second marathon. Returning to the park in the evening, they often find queues even longer than those in the morning. Many reach their hostels as late as 9:00 PM, starving and drained, only to face the impossible choice between cooking, sleeping, or studying for the next day.

Financially, the crisis is a “bone in the neck.” Recent fuel price hikes have turned commuting into a major expense, with students forced to negotiate or pay inflated fares that eat deep into their feeding allowances.

For many, the “Better by Far” slogan feels more like “Better by Stress,” as they juggle the heavy mental exercise of a degree with the grueling physical reality of just trying to get to class. The recent introduction of CNG buses and electric vehicles represents a desperate hope for an end to a decades-long cycle of suffering that has come to define the Unilorin student experience.