An alternate transport arrangement that was set up by Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, intended to ease student travel during last December break, has become a subject of controversy.
While the initiative was meant to streamline the journey home, several students who subscribed to the service say they felt let down by the institution which is run by Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel headed by Bishop David Oyedepo.
Many of them have since turned down the option as they now prefer to go home during holidays by themselves instead of patronising the school’s arrangement.
On the controversial alternative, the university had previously issued a memo to students offering the service, it promised that security personnel would accompany the convoys. However, students who spoke with Church Times expressed disappointment, starting with the quality of the vehicles provided.
”We thought the buses would be air-conditioned, given the amount charged. It turned out to be regular commercial buses that did not provide the expected comfort,” said one student who traveled from Omu-Aran to Lagos last December.
Students also claimed that, contrary to the school’s promise, no security officials accompanied them on the journey.
The Fare Dispute
The primary grievance, however, remains the high cost. According to the memo, students were charged as much as ₦40,000 for a trip from Omu-Aran to Lagos. “Regular buses at motor parks don’t charge more than ₦15,000,” noted one student who felt exploited.
Mr. Segun Ajetunmobi, a parent, stated he was unaware of the school’s official arrangement but had heard other parents discussing it. “What I know is that some parents organize their own transport to bring their wards home. My son was part of such an arrangement, and we paid only ₦15,000. He has always used that option rather than the school’s, so I am surprised to hear about these high costs,” he said.
Another parent, whose child did use the school-organized transport, lamented that the bus dropped his child at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, instead of Sango, Ogun State, as promised—despite the ₦41,000 fee.
”When I complained, they asked for my child’s name, which I refused to provide. I don’t want him to be victimized at school,” the parent added.
The University’s Response
When contacted via the number provided in the solicitation email, Emeka Onyewuotu a representative of the transport committee, explained that the arrangement was an optional alternative and not compulsory.
He denied allegations that the school failed to meet its obligations. “The high cost was because we factored in the fees for security personnel to accompany the vehicles. There were security teams attached to each trip; they were simply in a separate vehicle rather than inside the buses with the students,” Onyebuson clarified.
He did acknowledge, however, that some trips faced logistical hurdles. “We learned that some vehicles, especially those heading to Abuja and Lagos, had mechanical issues on the road. Because of this, we refunded 50 percent of the fare to the affected students since the delays were not their fault.”