First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Delivers 21 Brand-New Shuttle Buses to OAU in Fulfilment of Key Campus Safety Pledge

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is celebrating a major upgrade to its internal transportation system following the delivery of 21 brand-new shuttle buses donated by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The donation, which was announced by the university’s Public Relations Officer, was made on Friday, October 10, 2025, exactly one year after the initial pledge.

Senator Tinubu, an illustrious graduate of OAU, first made the commitment in October 2024 during a visit for the 50th birthday celebration of the Ooni of Ife. Moved by the prevalence of commercial motorcycles (Okada) as the main mode of intra-campus transport, the First Lady voiced concern over the associated safety hazards and its impact on the university’s image. She pledged to support an overhaul with a total donation of 50 buses.

The arrival of the first batch of 21 buses has sparked widespread jubilation among students and staff, who see the gesture as a move towards safer, more dignified mobility.

The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Simeon Bamire, alongside key management members, conducted a ceremonial test drive around the campus after receiving the vehicles. Professor Bamire expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing it as “a luminous act of benevolence that illuminates the path toward institutional excellence.”

He emphasised that the gift is not merely a collection of vehicles but a “profound investment in the future of our scholars.”

“For too long, our transportation architecture has been tethered to the precarious whims of Okada riders, exposing our community to needless hazards on roads that should be sanctuaries of safety,” the Vice-Chancellor stated. He confirmed that the new buses, with the promise of 29 more to follow, will establish dedicated routes connecting lecture halls, hostels, and administrative blocks. This is expected to drastically enhance road safety by phasing out unregulated motorcycles, enforcing structured timetables, and reducing accidents, marking a major paradigm shift toward modern campus efficiency.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the occasion to urge other alumni to emulate the First Lady’s example, noting that OAU’s pursuit of excellence requires collective effort and sustained support.