Students of Lens Polytechnic, Offa, have raised serious concerns over the daily hardship they face in commuting to and from the school premises due to transportation difficulties. After classes, many are left stranded at the school gate for long periods, waiting in vain for available motorcycles or buses willing to transport them back to town.
The Nigeria Education News team was live at the school and observed first-hand the congestion and growing frustration among students struggling to secure transportation. The situation, according to the students, has become a recurring problem that has yet to receive effective attention from either the school management or the local transport unions.
One of the major issues highlighted by the students is the reluctance of bus drivers and motorcyclists to drive close to the school environment. This hesitance, according to several students interviewed, is linked to the presence of a nearby Navy College. “Many drivers are scared of being harassed by military personnel,” a student said. “Once they hear we are going towards the Polytechnic side, they either reject us outright or double the price.”
This fear has created a significant mobility crisis for students. Many now resort to trekking long distances after a full day of academic activities. Some students say they walk between 2 to 4 kilometers before they can find a commercial motorcycle or bus willing to take them to their destinations at a reasonable fare.
A student who preferred to remain anonymous narrated how she nearly fainted due to heat exhaustion while walking back from school. “This thing is frustrating. Sometimes, we walk under the sun for over 30 minutes just to find a bike. It’s not fair,” she said. Others also expressed safety concerns, especially for female students walking along lonely paths during evening hours.
Efforts to engage with transport operators around Offa revealed that the security presence near the Navy College indeed plays a major role in discouraging drivers. “We just don’t want any trouble,” a motorcycle rider told our correspondent. “Sometimes they (military men) ask us questions, check us, and we don’t want embarrassment or delay.”
When asked whether the school management is aware of the situation, several students confirmed that complaints have been made. “Yes, we’ve reported it during students’ meetings and to the Dean of Students Affairs,” said one 200-level student. “They said they would look into it, but since then, nothing tangible has changed.”
The students are now appealing to the school management to intervene by either partnering with local transport associations or providing a shuttle service to ease the burden. “They can provide at least two school buses to shuttle us in the morning and evening. That will solve half of the problem,” suggested another student.
The lack of transportation has also started affecting class attendance. Some lecturers reportedly complained that students arrive late for early morning lectures, and a few students confessed to skipping classes altogether when they cannot find transport in time. “Nobody wants to fail, but how do we cope with this kind of stress every day?” one student asked.
As of the time of this report, no official statement has been issued by the management of Lens Polytechnic on the matter. However, the Nigeria Education News team will continue to monitor developments and report any updates as they unfold. Students, meanwhile, hope that urgent steps will be taken to address what many describe as an avoidable logistical nightmare.
