The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has kicked off the deployment of 240 electric tricycles across 12 public universities nationwide, beginning with a formal launch at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s E-Tricycle Deployment Programme, designed to deliver cleaner, more affordable mobility options for students.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who inaugurated the project, stated that the effort supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for modernising key sectors, especially tertiary education.

“This is Renewed Hope in action, practical, measurable, and impactful for our students,” he said.

Solar Charging Stations to Power Campus Mobility

As part of the programme, TETFund will also install 12 solar-powered charging stations, one per participating university. These installations will supply reliable power for the electric tricycles and promote long-term adoption of eco-friendly transport systems on campus.

According to the Minister, each university’s Student Union Government (SUG) will operate and manage the e-tricycles, including fare regulation and maintenance planning, to ensure affordability and sustainability.

UNILAG’s Early Success in Electric Transport

UNILAG has already recorded milestones in electric mobility. Earlier in the year, the institution launched an electric vehicle initiative through partnerships with Ogata Global Resources and Chart Eco Global Service.

The project began with 10 electric buses, which covered over 102,000 kilometres and cut carbon emissions by 16.78 metric tons of CO₂. The fleet later expanded to 30 electric vehicles, with a projected mileage of 700 kilometres.

By 2025, the university expects to achieve a 124-metric-ton CO₂ reduction, reinforcing its commitment to green transportation and low-cost student mobility.

Federal Initiative to Cut Student Transport Costs

TETFund first revealed its e-tricycle plan in November as part of a broader strategy to reduce mobility challenges and transportation costs within tertiary institutions.

TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, highlighted that electric vehicles significantly lower operational expenses, making campus transport cheaper and more accessible for students.

He also noted that having students manage the tricycles ensures accountability, transparency, and enhanced project durability.

Aligned With Wider Educational Support Efforts

The rollout complements other Federal Government initiatives targeting improvements in:

• Campus power supply
• Student accommodation
• Learning infrastructure
• Access to tertiary funding through NELFund’s National Student Loan Scheme

TETFund is also preparing additional investments in:

• Research laboratories
• Digital learning and smart classrooms
• Sustainable energy solutions for campuses

These interventions are expected to elevate educational quality and improve student experiences across Nigerian universities.