For many students of the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, getting to lectures has become a daily struggle, with transport shortages forcing long walks, lateness and unexpected financial burdens.

Some of the students who spoke on Thursday in Abuja expressed concern over persistent transportation challenges affecting movement across the sprawling campus.

They lamented that inadequate tricycles are disrupting academic activities and making daily commuting increasingly stressful.

The students also described long waiting times, limited vehicle availability and arbitrary fare increases as major obstacles to attending lectures and meetings on time.

A student, Ifeoluwa Olasehinde, said the shortage of tricycles has become a recurring challenge, particularly during peak periods when demand is highest.

She said she sometimes waits 30 minutes without finding transportation and often resorts to trekking to avoid missing lectures.

According to her, the long walks leave her exhausted before classes begin, especially because her faculty is far from her hostel.

“One of the major challenges on this campus is the inadequate number of keke (tricycles). It makes moving around difficult, particularly when many students come out for classes at the same time.

“Most times I have to trek to avoid missing lectures, and by the time I get to class after trekking for more than 30 minutes, I am already exhausted,” she said

Ms Olasehinde added that the situation forced her to leave her hostel earlier than necessary to secure transportation.

Another student, Fortune Chukwuneme, said some tricycle operators avoid distant faculties and prefer routes with higher passengers.

He said drivers frequently refuse to take him to his faculty, causing lateness and affecting his concentration during lectures.

Mr Chukwuneme also claimed he occasionally pays more than the approved fare to get to class on time.

“Most keke drivers refuse to take me to my faculty because of the distance,” he said.

For Emeka Oduah, the challenge extends beyond delays to what he described as exploitative fares during urgent situations.

He said he pays between N1,500 and N2,000 for trips that officially cost N100 because he was running late.

Mr Oduah noted that the repeated expenses placed additional pressure on his limited student allowance.

Also, Francesca Omenogor said some drivers refuse to transport lone passengers to certain faculties unless more students join the trip.

She explained that waiting for additional passengers often consumes valuable time and affects her academic schedule.

Although trekking helps save money, Ms Omenogor said it frequently leaves her exhausted during lectures.

A lecturer in the Department of Development and Strategic Communication, Auwal Sani, confirmed the transportation difficulties.

Mr Sani said the problem becomes more severe on weekday mornings and late afternoons when movement across campus peaks.

He noted that the university’s large size makes transportation essential for many students and members of staff without private vehicles.

According to him, getting a tricycle during examinations or busy lecture periods can be extremely difficult.

Mr Sani said he plans movements ahead of time, leaves early for engagements and sometimes walks short distances to beat the situation.

He said, “During examinations and periods when lectures are beginning or ending, getting a Keke becomes very difficult.

“I often plan my movements ahead, leave earlier for meetings and lectures, and sometimes walk short distances when transportation is unavailable.”

He attributed the challenge to growing student and staff populations competing for a limited number of tricycles.

The lecturer recommended increasing approved tricycles, strengthening oversight and introducing a structured shuttle service with fixed routes.

He also suggested construction of more hostels to reduce transportation pressure on the campus.

A tricycle operator blamed the situation on rising demand and an insufficient number of vehicles during peak periods.

The operator argued that the approved N100 fare is becoming difficult to sustain amid prevailing economic realities.

The students and members of staff  urged the university authorities to intervene before the transportation crisis further affects learning and productivity.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Students’ Union Government (SUG) official in charge of transportation were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.

Meanwhile, as the students  continue to face the transportation challenges, stakeholders are urging the university authorities to urgently address the crisis.

They called on the school authorities to increase tricycles, improve regulation, and introduce structured shuttle services to ease movement on the campus.

(NAN)