7 Weeks On: Unilorin Students Still Struggle Amid Ongoing Transport Crisis

It has now been seven weeks since the transportation challenges at the University of Ilorin began, and frustration continues to grow among students and staff alike. What started as a minor inconvenience has now evolved into a major daily ordeal that disrupts academic activities, drains morale, and raises pressing questions about the school’s logistics management.

A Daily Struggle for Thousands

Every morning, before sunrise, hundreds of students gather at the park, joining queues that often stretch beyond sight. Yet, many still end up arriving late to classes—or missing them entirely. One anonymous message captured the experience:

“Still on a queue that is not moving and I have an 8 a.m. class. The school management is not doing anything. Every day we go through this stress. The students can’t even protest due to fear of rustication.”

For many, this has become the new normal. Students now leave hostels or off-campus residences hours before their lectures begin, only to find themselves stranded in slow-moving queues under the sun. As one student lamented,

“Just got to class, first lecture is done (missed), now in the second lecture. We can’t keep living like this every day. Even at the close of classes by 4 p.m., there won’t be buses. Sir, please help call the school to revert to the old system—it was easy and stress-free.”

These experiences mirror the sentiments of many across the university community, as the crisis continues to affect punctuality, class attendance, and students’ overall productivity.

The Roots of the Problem

The current transportation issue stems from a significant reduction in the number of operational buses available for student shuttle services within and outside the campus. Previously, the old system allowed for faster circulation, as several buses were managed by independent drivers under loose coordination.

However, under the new system, introduced earlier this session, tighter regulations and centralized control were implemented—reportedly to improve safety and curb indiscipline. Unfortunately, this adjustment has resulted in fewer buses on the road, longer waiting times, and increased hardship for commuters.

Management’s Response

In reaction to the growing complaints, a message believed to be from a university staff surfaced online, addressing the situation from the management’s perspective.

“Regarding the University of Ilorin transport, the school is working tirelessly to acquire new buses. Talks are currently ongoing. I am a staff; it’s not easy for me too. A lot of students may not understand this, but those old bus operators are not completely honest—they often go off-route or stay idle after morning trips.”

This suggests that the management is aware of the crisis and in the process of finding a lasting solution. Yet, despite these assurances, there has been little visible progress on ground. Many students remain skeptical, citing a lack of transparent communication or timelines for improvement.

The Human Cost

Beyond the discomfort, the situation has created a ripple effect on academic performance and wellbeing. Students report arriving late to tests, missing attendance marks, and being too exhausted to concentrate during lectures.

Some have also raised concerns over safety, especially for those who stay late on campus due to the long wait for buses back to town. With evening classes ending as late as 6 p.m., it’s not unusual for students to remain stranded until nightfall.

“This has gone beyond inconvenience—it’s becoming a threat to our academic success,” a 300-level student lamented. “We deserve better transportation support as paying students.”

A Call for Urgent Intervention

Students are calling on the school management to **revisit the old transport system** or find an efficient hybrid solution that can restore normalcy. Many argue that the previous model—despite its flaws—was more reliable and stress-free.

There are also calls for better engagement between the university management, the Student Union, and relevant transport bodies to ensure that the voices of students are adequately represented and solutions implemented quickly.

The Student Union, for its part, has remained largely silent in recent weeks, drawing criticism from the student body. Some have described the union as “a toothless bulldog,” suggesting it has lost influence in advocating for students’ welfare.

The Road Ahead

Seven weeks into the crisis, the reality remains unchanged. While talks about acquiring new buses are reportedly ongoing, the delay continues to frustrate the university community. Students are hopeful that concrete action will soon follow, not just words.

The University of Ilorin has long prided itself on discipline, orderliness, and academic excellence. However, the ongoing transport situation has exposed a growing gap between administrative planning and the daily realities faced by its students.

Until a solution is found, the queues will keep stretching, the lectures will keep being missed, and the frustration will keep mounting.