With fuel prices in Nigeria now over N1000 per liter, transport costs have skyrocketed, doubling in some cases. This is the case of students in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ife, Osun state—fondly known as ‘Great Ife’ — who have just resumed for a new session amidst the price hikes. For many students, this isn’t just a financial issue—it impacts their ability to focus on studies, as stress from budgeting for transportation adds to the pressures of university life.
Limited Transport Options and Rising Fares for Off-Campus Students in OAU
In Ife, the main transport options are motorcycles, or “bikes,” and “Town Gboro” buses. With over half of OAU students residing off-campus in areas like Mayfair, AP, Damico, and Asherifa, thousands of students have to commute to campus daily. Students living along Ede Road, for example, have limited options as the only commercial transport option available to them are bikes. Fuel price hikes have sent fares soaring, with some students reporting that a bike ride from Damico to the school gate now costs N500, up from N300. “I took a bike from the campus gate to AP for N3000!”, one student shared about a distance of just 2 km, which used to cost between N500 – N700.
Bus fares have also spiked, with a short drop now costing N300, up from N100 previously, and a trip from the campus gate to the main campus bus stop risingN100 to N150. The increasing prices have left many students calling for more online classes to reduce the number of commutes, a sentiment echoed by one student who said, “My transport costs have jumped from N700 last semester to N1200 now.”
OAU In-Campus Transport Woes and Price Increases
The price hikes aren’t limited to off-campus routes. Commuting within the campus has become costly, especially for students who rely on bikes for faster travel. A bike trip from the main campus gate to academic areas now costs about N300, and prices to the Central Market have climbed from N100 to as high as N200. A bus ride from the main bus stop to the Central Market has doubled from N50 to N100.
Despite efforts by the Great Ife Student Union to regulate fares, drivers and bike operators—who hold a near-monopoly on transport services within OAU—have found ways to bypass these controlled prices. One student expressed their frustration, saying, “Bike men don’t follow the price list. They’d rather not go anywhere than carry you for N200 from the gate to the bus stop. We have no other options, so they know we’ll still pay.”
The Monopoly and Student Union’s Response
OAU’s transport monopoly is controlled by private drivers and bike men under union protection. This monopoly limits affordable commuting options for students. It has fueled growing frustration on campus. To address it, the Great Ife Student Union launched a crowdfunding campaign.
They aim to buy buses and tricycles to expand transport options. In a post on X, the union explained that the initiative aims to “break the monopoly” and offer relief to students struggling with the current transport crisis.
Last year, Uniconne and the Great Ife Student Union launched affordable ‘Union shuttles.’ However, resistance from the “Town Gboro” drivers quickly led to the shutdown of the initiative. This monopoly has stifled other attempts to provide alternative transportation on campus. One X user speaking on the crowdfunding initiative said, “When the money is completed, please hold a special prayer session against spiritual attacks from Town-Gboro drivers”.
Transportation Crises in other Nigerian Universities
OAU students aren’t alone in facing this challenge. Across Nigeria, other universities face similar transportation issues as students struggle to keep up with rising fares. On Monday, an X user posted about students at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), students were stranded outside campus as bus drivers refused to work without a fare hike to N500.
The scene shows a nationwide problem, with students across Nigeria bearing the impact of fuel hikes and poor transport policies.
A Call to Action: Share Your Experiences
The transportation crisis is a growing challenge for Nigerian students, and without immediate intervention, it will only worsen. While OAU students are attempting to rally for change, they need more support and visibility. The question remains: how much longer can students bear the costs of a monopolized transportation system amid skyrocketing fuel prices? What is the government going to do about this?
Have these transportation challenges impacted you as a student? Share your experience with us.
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