BUK students decry transport challenges, demand improved shuttle services

By Sadiyya Muhammad

The Students of Bayero University Kano (BUK), at the New Site campus, have expressed frustration over inadequate transport services within the institution, saying the situation is disrupting their academic activities and affecting their well-being.

With commercial tricycles (popularly known as keke-napep) barred from entering most parts of the campus, students say they are left with no option but to trek long distances daily to reach lecture halls and laboratories.

Although the university operates an internal shuttle service, students complain that the vehicles are too few to meet the high demand, particularly during peak hours, leaving many stranded and often late for lectures.

SolaceBase reports that faculties located at the far end of the New Site, including Agriculture, Education, Architecture, and Social Sciences, appear to be the most severely affected. Students report exhaustion, missing classes, health concerns, and the difficulty of carrying heavy materials, such as lab equipment and drawing boards, over long distances.

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“My 8 a.m. practical means leaving the house before 7 a.m. just to walk and still arrive breathless,” lamented Amina Abdullahi, a 300-level student.

She added that even when students hire tricycles from outside, security personnel stop them at designated points, forcing passengers to walk the remaining distance.

Another student, Sani Muhammad, noted that waiting for the shuttle can be just as frustrating.

“You can queue up to 20 minutes for the school shuttle and still end up trekking because it’s full,” he said.

He further explained that exam periods make the situation worse, as students rushing across campus with books in hand face additional stress and safety risks. For those with health conditions such as asthma or knee pain, he said, the problem is even more severe.

While students acknowledge that the restrictions are intended to reduce congestion, prevent accidents, and maintain order on campus, they insist that the measures are unfair without adequate alternatives.

“We see the logic—security, sanity, fewer accidents. But you can’t restrict and then not provide enough options. It punishes students,” said Zainab Sule.

Ibrahim Jibir, a 200-Level student, suggested improved scheduling as a possible solution.

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“There are peak waves: 7–9 a.m., 12–2 p.m., and 3–5 p.m. If more buses ran during those times, trekking would drop drastically,” he said.

Female students have also raised concerns about safety and dignity when walking long distances before sunrise or after dusk. Some off-campus students complain of additional financial burdens, saying they are forced to pay twice—once to reach the campus gate and again for transport inside, if available.

The students called on the university management to expand the shuttle fleet, improve scheduling during peak hours, and review restrictions on tricycles to allow limited access to far-flung faculties.

“We are not asking to flood the campus with commercial traffic,” said Zainab Abdullahi. “We’re asking for a humane solution that balances order with access.”

SolaceBase contacted the university’s Public Affairs Director, Malam Lamara Garba; the telephone was answered, and later went dead; subsequent calls were not attended to.

Moreso, text messages sent to him was not replied.