Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on Thursday, 29th January, welcomed the First Lady, Senator Dr Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for the official commissioning of the promised 50 buses and 30 tricycles made by her to the university during her conferment with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration.
It was dated back that Senator Dr Oluremi Tinubu, an alumna of the University, promised 50 CNG buses and 10 tricycles during the 48th convocation ceremony of the University held on 14, December, 2024 when she was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration. In her speech during the event, she expressed her displeasure over the heavy use of Motorcycles on campus, noting that such a system was not safe or befitting of a modern university and then pledged to support the school by donating shuttle buses to improve mobility.
In fulfilment of the promise, ACJOAU reported that Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) received 21 brand-new shuttle buses from the First Lady on Friday, October 10, 2025, as the first phase of the buses, with the goal of improving transportation within the campus. Again, In a release made by the Great Ife Students’ Union on 9th January, it confirmed that all the 80 vehicles promised by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had been delivered to the school management, stating that the operation of the new transportation system was 90% completed and the reason for the delay was solely tied to the fueling system of the vehicles for their sustainable operation but that the CNG charging station was completed, while the electric charging station was almost completed.
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Furthermore, on 27 January, the school management, through the Office of the Registrar, announced the official visit of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the university on 29 January to witness the official commissioning and handover of the 50 buses and tricycles donated by Her Excellency, as well as the commissioning and handover of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife.
Commissioning Ceremony
The commissioning took place at the Main Bowl of the school’s Sports Complex and started officially at 10:30 a.m. with renditions from the school’s music team, followed by the school anthem and the national anthem, with top school officials, government officials, and traditional leaders in attendance.
The school’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, opened the event by addressing the students. The school’s Dramatic Arts Department also performed theatrical presentations to welcome the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, upon his arrival.
By 11:30 a.m., the First Lady arrived at the Main Bowl in her helicopter, causing excitement among students who were eager to see her. Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by the university management and cheering students. She commissioned the 50 CNG buses, 20 solar-powered tricycles and 10 CNG tricycles, addressed everyone present, and also greeted students as she moved around the field.
Students’ Reactions
Students who attended the official commissioning of the events shared their reactions. Speaking with Shoyemi Eunice, a Part 1 student of Educational Management, she said, ‘I felt happy because it is a great privilege for the First Lady to dedicate these types of buses to us. I feel the bus should be free to take students to their various destinations off campus.
Also speaking, a Part 2 Student of Education foundation and Counselling said ‘the event went fine, and I’m happy that we have new buses on campus and that the price will be subsidised to take students to their various destinations. However, I’m angry because we were asked to get to the venue by 7:00 a.m. by my department to welcome the First Lady, but she arrived around 11, and the event finished shortly after.’
Many are hopeful that the new vehicles will improve transportation on campus.