The university, established about 50 years ago, announced the initiative in a statement released on its official website on Thursday, describing it as a response to the growing financial struggles of its workforce.
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has launched a bicycle loan scheme for its junior staff to help them cope with the rising cost of transportation amid unbearable fuel prices.
The university, established about 50 years ago, announced the initiative in a statement released on its official website on Thursday, describing it as a response to the growing financial struggles of its workforce.
“In a bid to ease transportation challenges for junior staff, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, distributed the second batch of bicycles under the university’s welfare initiative,” the statement read.
The statement continued: “During the distribution ceremony, Professor Abbas, assisted by the Chairman of the Bicycle Loan Committee, Professor Mahmoud Umar Sani, and other committee members, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to staff welfare. He noted that the initiative aims to provide affordable and sustainable mobility options for staff, enhancing their efficiency at work.”
“Highlighting the success of the first batch, Professor Abbas commended the beneficiaries for fulfilling their loan repayments. He further announced that loan deductions for the newly distributed bicycles would commence after the Sallah festival, allowing staff to utilise their salaries for Ramadhan fasting and Eid celebrations.”
“Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the university management, describing the initiative as timely, especially given the rising transportation costs. Many pledged to make good use of the bicycles.”
“A total of 47 bicycles were distributed in this phase, while 100 bicycles were distributed in the first phase.”
The move comes as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues to lament the worsening welfare conditions of university workers nationwide.
ASUU leaders have repeatedly decried the Nigerian government’s failure to address poor wages, inadequate funding for tertiary institutions, and the general neglect of education workers.
The dire economic situation has been exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which have pushed millions of Nigerians further into poverty.
The removal of fuel subsidies has led to a drastic increase in fuel prices, triggering an overall surge in transportation and food costs.
With inflation at record highs, many Nigerian workers are struggling to make ends meet, and university staff are no exception.
Workers across different sectors have accused the government of implementing policies that fail to cushion the economic burden on the average Nigerian.
The introduction of bicycles as a means of easing transportation challenges at Bayero University underscores the level of hardship faced by workers who can no longer afford daily transport fares.