Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has fulfilled the first phase of her pledge to her alma mater, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, by delivering 21 new shuttle buses to the university.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, on Sunday, in Ile-Ife.
Mr Olanrewaju explained that the unprecedented gesture was part of a total pledge of 50 buses, which she earlier promised to donate to the institution.
He noted that the vehicles were delivered exactly one year after she announced the donation during a grand commemorative event.
The PRO explained that the development marked a significant stride toward modernising the institution’s beleaguered internal transportation system.
He recalled that the initiative began in October 2024, when Mrs Tinubu attended the 50th birthday anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Mr Olanrewaju explained that during the event, the First Lady expressed her profound concern over the commercial motorcycles as the primary mode of intra-campus transport.
“This is not befitting of a 21st-century world-class African University,” she had remarked at the event, highlighting the risks and inefficiencies that plagued the system.
“Moved by her deep-rooted connection to the institution, she pledged to support its overhaul by donating 50 shuttle buses.
“She envisioned a fleet that would enhance safety, complement the University’s iconic aesthetics, and foster a more conducive environment for learning , culture and innovation.
“The arrival of the initial tranche of white-coloured buses on 10 October, transformed the pledge into reality, drawing throngs of excited onlookers as the vehicles gleamed under the Ife sun,” Mr Olanrewaju said.
The PRO said that leading the reception was the Vice-Chancellor, Adebayo Bamire, who alongside key members of the University management, conducted a ceremonial test drive around the campus.
He added that the sight of the white, sleek, modern buses navigating the tree-lined avenues evoked cheers from students perched on balconies and staff pausing in their daily routines, symbolising a new era for OAU’s mobility infrastructure.
Speaking, Mr Bamire, a professor, expressed profound gratitude, describing the donation as “a luminous act of benevolence that illuminates the path toward institutional excellence.”
Mr Bamire lauded Mrs Tinubu’s foresight, noting, “This is not merely a gift of vehicles; it is a profound investment in the future of our scholars and the soul of our university.”
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