President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has donated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to Nigerian students across the six geopolitical zones to ease their mobility.
The six buses were distributed on Thursday through the office of the Senior Special Adviser on Students’ Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, to the Zonal Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja.
The President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, handed the keys to the vehicles to the respective Zonal Coordinators at a brief ceremony. The vehicles are expected to promote a more efficient and affordable transportation system for students.
Speaking during the distribution on Friday, Asefon said the initiative was part of a broader promise made by President Tinubu to support students, especially in light of the fuel subsidy removal and the resulting high transportation costs.
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Asefon emphasized that while this gesture is significant, it is just the beginning. He assured Nigerian students that the current administration would continue to prioritize their welfare.
He noted that, in the past, some students had to hire buses at exorbitant costs—sometimes up to ₦200,000—to attend programs and conferences, as well as for movement within campuses.
According to him, with the new buses, students will only pay a token fee, making transportation much more affordable. “The buses are not just for transport; they also provide students with the confidence that they are using vehicles dedicated to their needs.”
Additionally, Comrade Asefon stated that the maintenance of the buses would be closely monitored, with any issues promptly addressed by his office.
He added that schools would also take responsibility for maintaining buses stationed on their campuses, ensuring the longevity of the initiative.
The President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for this unprecedented move, stating that it would significantly reduce transportation costs for Nigerian students.
He highlighted that this initiative is the first of its kind in NANS’s history, with over 20 buses being distributed across various zones.
He emphasized that this achievement was made possible through constructive dialogue and leadership, without the need for protests.
“This will be very useful for Nigerian students; it will ease transportation costs on their campuses.
“So, we are happy, and I want to thank the President for this gesture. This is the first time such an initiative has ever happened in NANS’s history since its founding.”
