In a significant move to bridge the transportation gap for public school students in Lagos, the Gabriel Rotimi Aroge (GRA) Empowerment Foundation has reaffirmed its dedication to providing safe commuting alternatives. This commitment comes despite facing limited support from expected corporate donors.
Bridging The Gap With Bicycles
The Foundation's Founder, Gabriel Rotimi Aroge, made this announcement ahead of the official launch of the free Cycle 2 School Plus (C2S+) programme. The unveiling is strategically aligned with the 2025 United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Organised in partnership with the Lagos State Vocational Education Board, the launch event is scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Government Technical College, Ikotun, Lagos. The event is expected to draw participation from approximately 20 secondary schools across the state.
Aroge explained that the C2S+ programme will provide qualified students with bicycles for their daily commute throughout their schooling period. Upon graduation, beneficiaries will return the bicycles to their schools for reassignment to new students, ensuring the initiative's sustainability.
Empowerment Beyond Transportation
The Foundation's vision extends beyond just providing transport. It will also train interested students as bicycle mechanics, creating valuable empowerment and skills acquisition opportunities for the youth.
Aroge noted that a meticulous route survey has already been conducted using the Strava app to map students' homes, school routes, distances, and travel times. Based on this survey, 20 schools in Alimosho Local Council have been pre-qualified for the programme's initial phase.
To ensure student safety, escort and travel supervisory teams will be deployed to guide students safely through designated traffic corridors.
Overcoming Financial Hurdles
Aroge highlighted the challenges faced, lamenting the lack of a structured approach to cycling in Nigeria, which has discouraged many potential cyclists. He expressed profound disappointment at the lack of donor support.
"We are largely discouraged by lack of support. It is enough to say there is no point doing this social good but we know that many youths that drift into crime or restiveness today come from underserved communities. So, we feel compelled to continue this project," Aroge stated.
The organisation faced major financial hurdles in clearing a container of bicycles donated by their United Kingdom (UK) charity partner. Hoping for a waiver during clearing, the Foundation was left disappointed, ultimately spending close to N15 million covering port charges, warehousing, logistics, and transportation.
The upcoming Remembrance Day event will also feature a traffic-safety skit presentation by participating schools. A cash prize of N100,000 will be awarded to the winning school, with team members receiving world-class safety footwear, event-branded T-shirts, and other souvenirs.
