Bus drivers operating within the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) campus in Abeokuta have raised concerns over the poor flow of business, revealing that fuel expenses often surpass the amount they generate daily. Their plight underscores the challenges faced by transport operators on campus, despite their essential role in student mobility.
When The Nigeria Education News visited the campus, several drivers stationed at the school gate explained that the situation had become worrisome. One of the drivers, Mr. Sanusi, highlighted that at the end of most days, what they spend on fuel outweighs what they earn from transporting students. “The distance is far compared to what we charge students. Sometimes, what goes into fuel is higher than our income,” he lamented.
Mr. Sanusi further explained that most of the drivers cannot rely solely on campus transport to sustain their families. “Majorly, many of us have other businesses outside bus driving just to support ourselves and avoid family problems at home,” he told The Nigeria Education News. According to him, without such side businesses, many drivers would have already abandoned the job.
On fares within the campus, he clarified that charges are relatively stable and student-friendly. “What we charge within the campus is between ₦100 and ₦200. From campus to Panseke, it is ₦300, and sometimes ₦400 depending on the distance,” he said. He also added that the relationship between the drivers and the Students’ Union has been cordial. “So far, the Students’ Union has always been of help, and there is no issue of extra charges,” he emphasized.
Another driver who spoke anonymously noted that fuel price hikes have worsened their struggle. With the removal of fuel subsidy, operational costs have increased significantly, but drivers have been unable to raise fares because students are already burdened with financial difficulties. “We don’t want to make life harder for them, but it is affecting us badly,” he explained.
The Nigeria Education News also engaged with a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as okada rider, operating around the campus. Mr. Idris, one of the bike men, explained that their survival lies in diversifying their operations. “We have learnt how to manage with the amount we collect. We also take passengers outside the school to balance things together,” he said.
According to Mr. Idris, bike fares within MAPOLY vary depending on distance. “From the school gate to inside the campus is between ₦200 and ₦300, depending on where you are going,” he explained. He noted that since not all motorcycles are permitted inside the campus due to security rules, most riders stop at the school gate and pick up passengers heading into town.
Mr. Idris added that fares outside the campus are negotiable. “From town to the school gate, the price depends on the agreement between the rider and the passenger, whether student or staff. It is usually influenced by distance and fuel cost,” he told The Nigeria Education News.
Drivers and bike riders alike stressed that the current transportation system is sustained mainly through sacrifice. “If not for the Students’ Union’s intervention in monitoring fares, things would have been worse. But still, the income is nothing compared to the effort and expenses we put in daily,” one driver remarked.
The situation has also drawn the attention of students, many of whom expressed mixed feelings. While some appreciated that fares remain relatively low compared to other campuses, others complained about the occasional ₦400 charge to Panseke, saying it strains their limited budgets. Although not from the buses inside campus.
One student, who identified herself as Kehinde Grace, explained that “transportation here is manageable compared to what friends in other schools pay. But at the same time, when you add up ₦200 within campus and ₦300 to Panseke daily, it becomes a big cost for students.”
Another student, a final-year accounting undergraduate, said transportation affects attendance at times. “Some students skip lectures when they cannot afford the fare. It may look small, but it adds up, especially for those living outside the school environment,” he explained.
The Nigeria Education News observed that transport operators maintain discipline in their services. Unlike in other institutions where complaints of arbitrary fare hikes are common, MAPOLY’s drivers and bikers maintain relative stability in pricing, largely due to the cordial relationship with the Students’ Union and management oversight.
Nevertheless, both drivers and bikers warned that unless fuel prices become stable, sustaining affordable campus transport will remain a challenge. They urged the state government and polytechnic management to consider fuel subsidy support or palliative measures for campus transport operators to ensure continuity of services.
Conclusively, the plight of MAPOLY transport operators reflects the broader struggles of Nigeria’s economy, where rising fuel costs have reduced the viability of small-scale businesses. For the students, stable and affordable transport remains essential, while for drivers and bikers, survival depends on striking a balance between service to the community and meeting their personal needs.
