For more than a decade, it stood as a silent reminder of unrealised potential—a once-promising facility overtaken by inactivity and neglect. Generations of students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, passed through the institution without ever witnessing fuel flow from its pumps.
But on Saturday, June 14, 2026, that long silence was finally broken.
The familiar sound of fuel dispensing returned to the university’s filling station as Obafemi Awolowo University officially commenced test operations and soft-launched what has now evolved into a ₦320 million integrated energy and lifestyle hub.
The development marks the rebirth of a facility that had remained largely dormant since the late 2000s, transforming it into one of the institution’s most ambitious infrastructure renewal projects in recent years.
Situated within the Maintenance Yard corridor near the university’s main gate, the project was developed by Guesstimate Nigeria Limited, an indigenous company owned by an alumnus of the university. Beyond fuel dispensing, the facility is designed to serve as a comprehensive service centre catering to students, staff, residents of Ile-Ife, and neighbouring communities.
The symbolic recommencement of operations attracted key figures within the university administration, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Akinfala; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development), Professor Akinyemi; the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Odedire; and the Chairman of the Security Committee, Professor Titilayo.
For the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, the moment represented the fulfilment of a vision nurtured since the inception of his administration.
“I am deeply elated that this is happening under my watch,” the Vice-Chancellor said during the event. “One of our visions from the beginning was to ensure that this filling station became functional again. Today is proof that OAU can successfully revive and maximise its assets for the benefit of the university community.”
He commended the Directorate of Campus Planning and Development for maintaining quality standards throughout the construction phase and expressed optimism that the project would soon attain full operational status.
“We are witnessing the commencement of fuel dispensing today, and by God’s grace, the Governing Council and management will return in September for the formal commissioning of the entire facility,” he added.
University authorities believe the significance of the project extends beyond restoring access to fuel within the campus. According to them, the initiative represents a strategic move towards strengthening internally generated revenue while enhancing convenience for members of the university community.
Professor Akinfala described the facility as a deliberate investment in campus sustainability and economic retention.
“This is much more than a filling station. It is a one-stop service centre,” he said. “When staff and students no longer need to leave campus to buy fuel, access laundry services, recharge electric vehicles, eat, relax, or conduct basic errands, the economic benefits remain within the university environment.”
For students, the project also addresses concerns surrounding safety, particularly for those compelled to travel outside the university premises late at night in search of essential services.
Professor Odedire, the Dean of Student Affairs, noted that the development would significantly reduce such risks while improving the overall welfare of students residing on campus.
The Chief Executive Officer of Guesstimate Nigeria Limited, himself an alumnus of OAU, explained that the vision behind the investment was to create a modern university ecosystem where convenience and innovation intersect.
“Our goal is to create a truly modern campus experience,” he said. “A lecturer should be able to finish an evening class, fuel his vehicle, grab a meal or coffee, conduct basic transactions, and return home without leaving the university environment.”
He stressed that the project was never conceived as an ordinary petrol station.
“This is not a conventional roadside filling station. It is an integrated service hub built with safety, technology, and convenience at its core,” he explained.
According to him, the company is also developing a dedicated digital payment and credit-card ecosystem to support seamless transactions across the various service points within the facility.
The relationship between Guesstimate Nigeria Limited and OAU extends beyond the filling station project. The company currently manages the fleet of 50 Compressed Natural Gas buses and 30 tricycles donated to the institution through the intervention of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to ease transportation challenges on campus.
Additionally, one of its subsidiaries participates actively in OAU’s Waste-to-Wealth initiative, a sustainability programme focused on converting waste into economic opportunities while promoting environmental responsibility.
Headquartered in Lagos, Guesstimate has expanded its operations through subsidiaries operating in transportation, energy, environmental services, and infrastructure development, establishing itself as a growing player within Nigeria’s development landscape.
Yet, for many members of the OAU community, Saturday’s event carried a deeper emotional significance.
The filling station last dispensed fuel during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Since then, thousands of students have enrolled, graduated, and moved on without ever experiencing the convenience of an operational fuel station within the university.
The test run, therefore, represented more than the revival of commercial activity. It stood as a powerful symbol of renewal—demonstrating that neglected institutional assets can be transformed into productive ventures through visionary leadership and strategic partnerships.
As fuel flowed once again through the pumps, Professor Bamire captured the collective optimism surrounding the development.
“I pray that staff, students, members of the university community, and our neighbours in Ile-Ife and Modakeke will make good use of this facility,” he said. “If it is well patronised, it will be sustained. Over 10 years is too long a wait, and we cannot afford to return to that silence.”
