Surviving the Unilorin Transportation issue: A Student’s Guide

If you’re a student in Unilorin, you already know how hectic the transportation system is, It’s almost like a daily stress for survival. You fight invisible stress every morning just to make it to class, waking up before dawn, rushing through your morning routine like you are Flash in movie, and getting to the park two hours before your class, only to still end up arriving late.

No matter how early you think you are, you will still meet students already lined up like it’s a concert ticket queue. You can’t help but wonder, “Did they sleep at the park?” The sun is barely out, yet you’re already tired, restless, and hungry. By 8 a.m., you have lived a full day’s stress before the day even begins.

For many students, this daily ritual has become a nightmare. The extraordinarily long queues, limited buses, impatient drivers, and crowded roads drain both energy and patience. Some even faint from standing too long under the scorching sun. By the time you finally get to class, your body is there but your mind is gone, you can’t even concentrate. You’re mentally replaying the stress of the morning, wondering if you can endure it all again when returning back home or tomorrow.

The truth is, the Unilorin transport system can make academic life physically and mentally exhausting. But since we can’t change the system overnight, we can at least find smart ways to survive it. Here’s how to stay sane, safe, and achieve your academic comeback.

1. Prepare Ahead and Wake Up Early

Normally, nobody likes waking up early, especially after a long day of lectures, assignments, and hostel drama. But when it comes to transportation, preparation is your best weapon.

Set your clothes and materials out the night before. Fetch your bath water early if you can. Sleep early. The extra 30 minutes of preparation can help you catch a bus earlier than those who didn’t prepare ahead. And the earlier you get a bus, the more time you’ll have to rest and reset your brain before lectures begin to process new information, and that small moment of calm is priceless.

2. Always Have Backup Funds

This one is non-negotiable. Keep a little “transport emergency fund” on you, ₦500 or ₦1,000 that can save you when things get rough.

You might stumble on a direct bus, get a private ride opportunity, or simply need to take bike or Keke to get to class on time. That small extra cash could be the difference between making your test on time or missing it completely.

3. Don’t Forget Your Essentials

Standing under the sun for hours can be brutal. Always leave your hostel equipped. Carry a bottle of water, light snacks, an umbrella or face cap, sunscreen, and a portable hand fan. Wear light, breathable clothing and comfortable footwear.

If you’re someone who faints easily or gets dizzy when hungry, don’t leave your room on an empty stomach. Eat something small, even if it’s a snack bar or banana that will help you from crashing halfway through the queue.

4. Turn Queue Time into Productive Time

Waiting for hours can feel like wasted time, but it doesn’t have to be. Turn the time spent on queue waiting for buses into something useful. Revise your notes, read an article, listen to an educational podcast, or catch up on messages.

If you have assignments or group work to review, this is your chance. That way, even if you arrive late to class, you’ve already done something productive with your morning.

5. Rest Like It’s a Priority

After all that stress, your body deserves recovery time. Once you get home, rest. Take short naps between classes if possible. Sleep early at night.

If you keep pushing your body without giving it time to recharge, it will eventually push back. And trust me, burnout is worse than missing a class.

6. Join or Support the Transport Volunteer Teams

Unilorin has several student groups that help manage transport queues and maintain order, like the Cadet Corps, Man O’ War, Air Scouts, and SU Volunteer Teams. If you can, consider joining one. It’s not just community service, it’s also a way to make valuable connections, gain leadership experience, and yes, sometimes secure earlier access to buses.

Even if you can’t join officially, cooperate with them. They’re doing their best under difficult conditions, and your patience makes their work easier.

7. Be Sure About Classes

It really sucks when you battle a version of stress only to get to class and find out that the class has been cancelled.

Confirm if your classes are holding, if what you’re going to school to do can be resolved online, if the person you want to go and meet is around. Disappointment can really put a damper on your spirit, especially considering the level of stress, time and money wasted.

Conclusion

However, as stressful as this system is, it won’t always be this bad. Things will change and eventually, this will just be another story you’ll tell the next generation of students.

You may not have the power to fix the transport system, but you have the power to adapt. Plan smart, wake up early, rest well, and take care of your peace. Focus on what you can control; your attitude, your preparation, your calm and your spirit.