Students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have voiced frustration over the university’s newly introduced campus transportation system, describing it as stressful, inefficient, and poorly implemented due to the inadequate number of vehicles available to serve the growing student population.
The transport arrangement, introduced at the start of the 2024/2025 academic session, was designed by the university management to improve student welfare and reduce transport fares. However, despite the initiative’s good intentions, many students say it has made commuting on campus more difficult.
Under the new system, all vehicles from outside the university now drop passengers at a central school park, where students are expected to board Korope minibuses—the small shuttle buses designated for movement to departments, hostels, and lecture halls. But with limited buses available, long queues and delays have become a daily challenge, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours.
A student who spoke to The Nigeria Education News anonymously described the experience as exhausting.
“Our school changed the transport system, and it’s not easy anymore,” the student lamented. “I stood in the queue for more than an hour just to get into school. We struggle for almost everything now in UNILORIN.”
Another student acknowledged that while the system has reduced transport fares, it has greatly increased stress levels.
“Before, I used to spend ₦800 to and from school,” the student said. “Now I spend only ₦300, which is cheaper, but the stress is unbearable.”
Several students also noted that the few available Korope buses are insufficient to serve the university’s large student population, even though many students are yet to resume for the session.
They urged the university management to urgently increase the number of shuttle buses and improve coordination at the new school park to prevent overcrowding and delays.
“UNILORIN is a big campus. The transport system can only work if the management provides enough vehicles and better organisation,” one student added.
Students have continued to call for a review of the new system, insisting that a more efficient and student-friendly model will enhance movement, reduce stress, and achieve the university’s original goal of improving welfare.
