TRICYCLE SHORTAGE HITS UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA: STUDENTS AND STAFF SUFFER

BY: Oladoja Afix

The University of Abuja, a institution renowned for its academic excellence and national unity, is currently grappling with a pressing issue: a severe shortage of tricycles (keke napep) on campus. Since the resumption of academic activities on January 6, 2025, students and staff have been struggling to navigate the campus due to the scarcity of tricycles, which have long been the primary mode of transportation.

For many students, including Hazel, a 200-level student in the faculty of Communication and Media Studies, the tricycle shortage has become a daily ordeal. "I used to take tricycles to class, but now I have to walk, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes daily. It's stressful and makes me late for lectures," Hazel lamented.

The tricycle drivers themselves have attributed the shortage to a combination of many factors, including the increasing number of students, rising fuel prices, and economic hardship. The consequences of this shortage are far-reaching, with students and staff facing significant challenges in getting around the campus.

The problem is taking a toll on academic life, with students frequently late for lectures, missing classes, and avoiding extracurricular activities. In a recent discussion among students of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, some suggested potential solutions, including the introduction of university buses or collaboration with tricycle unions in the Federal Capital Territory to improve transportation.

The tricycle shortage has exposed the weaknesses of the campus transport system, and it is imperative that the university administration takes swift action to address this issue. If left unattended to, the situation will continue to deteriorate, causing undue hardship for students and staff.

As one student aptly put it, "The school must act fast; we can't continue like this." The university must prioritize the welfare of its students and staff by exploring viable solutions to the tricycle shortage, ensuring that the campus transport system is efficient, reliable, and accessible to all. Only then can the University of Abuja truly live up to its reputation as a thriving hub of academic excellence.