UNILAG VC Expresses Deep Commitment To Green Mobility Agenda As Students Receive Bicycles On World Bicycle Day

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Prof. Folasade Ogunshola, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation and a catalyst for healthy living, as students of the University of Lagos International School (ISL) received bicycles during activities marking World Bicycle Day 2026.

The VC made the assertion at an event organised by the Gabriel Rotimi Aroge (GRA) Empowerment Foundation to commemorate this year’s World Bicycling Day WBD on June 3, bringing together stakeholders from the education, health and transportation sectors to advocate environmentally friendly mobility solutions while encouraging physical fitness among young people.

Professor Joseph Awoyinfa, a former Director of Sports and Professor of Sports Administration and Management, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, said the institution remains committed to building a greener and healthier campus through increased bicycle use.

According to him, the Vice-Chancellor’s vision is for UNILAG to become a model low-carbon university where cycling complements existing sustainability initiatives, reduces carbon emissions, conserves energy and enhances the wellbeing of students and staff.

“Very soon, UNILAG will not only be walking for life but will also be biking for life on campus to reduce carbon emissions and preserve the green nature of the environment,” Awoyinfa said.

The professor played a central role throughout the programme, from planning to implementation, and joined students and dignitaries in a bicycle road show aimed at promoting active transportation and environmental consciousness.

In a keynote presentation that linked cycling innovation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Awoyinfa highlighted measures already being undertaken by the university to advance sustainability.

He cited the expansion of UNILAG’s solar-powered bus fleet and noted that active transportation policies are helping to improve operational efficiency while reducing the institution’s environmental footprint.

He described cycling as a practical solution to contemporary urban mobility challenges, adding that its benefits extend beyond transportation to include improved cardiovascular health, reduced traffic congestion and enhanced environmental sustainability.

Awoyinfa also commended the founder of the GRA Empowerment Foundation, Gabriel Rotimi Aroge, for championing the bicycle donation initiative, describing it as a commendable example of corporate and community responsibility.

“This is part of what we call giving back to society. He has achieved success and is bringing meaningful development back home,” he said.

Looking beyond the celebration, Awoyinfa proposed a structured monthly “Cycling for Life” programme for students and staff in partnership with the foundation.

He further advocated the expansion of GRA’s “Cycle-to-School” project, arguing that access to bicycles can significantly improve punctuality, school attendance and academic performance among underserved learners.

He called on government agencies, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the initiative through funding and partnerships to enable wider deployment of bicycles across schools in Nigeria.

Participants at the event praised the initiative as a practical demonstration of how universities can bridge policy, research and community engagement to address sustainability challenges.

The enthusiastic participation of students and school officials also underscored growing awareness of cycling’s role in promoting healthier lifestyles and environmentally responsible transportation.

As Nigeria seeks sustainable mobility solutions amid rapid urbanisation, stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that initiatives such as the World Bicycle Day celebration and bicycle deployment programme would help foster a stronger cycling culture and accelerate the transition to cleaner, greener transportation systems.