Fuel price hike: Bayero University loans bicycles to staff

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has introduced a bicycle loan scheme for junior staff to help mitigate the impact of soaring transportation costs, driven by steep fuel price hikes and growing economic hardship.

The university, which has been a cornerstone of education in northern Nigeria for over five decades, announced the initiative in a statement published on its official website on Thursday.

The programme aims to ease the financial strain on workers grappling with the country’s harsh economic realities.

“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 Vice-Chancellor, alongside the Chairman of the Bicycle Loan Committee, Professor Mahmoud Sani, and other committee members, reiterated the university’s commitment to supporting staff welfare through practical, sustainable solutions.

The statement added: “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.”

Professor Abbas praised the first batch of beneficiaries for honoring their loan repayments, adding that deductions for the newly distributed bicycles would start after the Sallah festival. This decision, he explained, would allow staff to prioritize expenses for Ramadhan and Eid celebrations.

“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.”

Grateful staff members welcomed the initiative, calling it a lifeline amid escalating transportation expenses. Many pledged to take good care of the bicycles and maximize their utility.

“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.”