A troubling situation is unfolding at the University of Ibadan, where pedestrian walkways, originally designed to provide safe passage for students, are increasingly being used as parking spaces by car owners. This behaviour is obstructing students’ ability to walk freely on campus and creating serious safety hazards. Pedestrian paths, which should offer an unimpeded route for those walking across the university, have instead become an area for cars to park, blocking passage and causing accidents.
Despite the university’s efforts to discourage such actions, it seems that many car owners are either unaware of or simply ignoring the established rules. This widespread misuse of walkways by vehicles is becoming a persistent issue that affects student safety and convenience, adding unnecessary stress to students’ daily commute across campus.
Adesola Aderemi, a Master’s student in Human Kinetics Education, shared her experience with AFAS Press, explaining how a driver’s decision to park on a walkway once caused her considerable inconvenience. She recalled narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle parked on the walkway. Unfortunately, in trying to manoeuvre around the car, she fell into a drainage near the Students’ Union Building (SUB). “This driver can’t claim ignorance; he’s simply a habitual offender of the law,” Aderemi said, emphasising the severity of the issue. Her unfortunate experience highlights how small infringements can snowball into bigger safety concerns for pedestrians.
Sunday Magnus, a first-year student in the Faculty of Law, also voiced his concerns about the behaviour of drivers, especially taxi drivers. “Pedestrians are not given priority on campus, even though it’s a school area. Vehicle owners misuse their power,” Magnus observed. He also pointed out that drivers frequently fail to use turn signals, leading to confusion among pedestrians. In some cases, drivers verbally abuse pedestrians who accidentally bump into their vehicles, even when the fault lies with the driver. This creates an unsafe and unpleasant environment for students simply trying to navigate the campus.
Timothy Sunday, a student from the Faculty of Arts, acknowledged the misuse of walkways by taxi drivers and visitors but voiced a particular concern regarding bicycle riders. He pointed out that many bicycle riders neglect to use headlamps at night, which has contributed to accidents. “I think Abefele, the school security system, should be more vigilant about monitoring these bicycle riders,” Sunday suggested, highlighting that their failure to use proper lighting at night poses a significant risk to pedestrians. Bicycle riders who neglect basic safety precautions like using headlamps at night put both themselves and others at risk of accidents that could be easily avoided.
A simple survey of seven respondents confirmed that many bicycle riders do not use headlamps at night. Timothy, a bicycle owner himself, shared his personal experience, explaining that he stopped riding his bicycle after 7 pm after being caught by his hall porter. Reflecting on an incident in which he nearly collided with a pedestrian, Timothy admitted that many cyclists need to be reprimanded for neglecting basic safety measures. He attributed the lack of proper bicycle equipment to the high cost of bicycle parts in Nigeria. “It is difficult for many students to afford the necessary safety equipment, but that doesn’t excuse their disregard for pedestrian safety,” Timothy said, urging for better enforcement of safety guidelines.
In a discussion with the SU General Secretary, he expressed regret over the ongoing issue and sympathised with those affected. He assured that the matter would be reported to the relevant authorities, including the House Secretary and the President, and that appropriate action would be taken to address the concerns raised by students. The SU General Secretary also promised that steps would be taken to ensure the safety of pedestrians on campus, including better monitoring of road users and improved enforcement of existing rules.
Students are calling for greater responsibility from all road users to respect pedestrian walkways and prioritise safety. The misuse of walkways, whether by cars or bicycles, not only affects the smooth flow of traffic but also increases the risk of accidents. The Student Union Executives have promised to take action on these concerns, reassuring students that their safety is a top priority.
As the university works to address these issues, students remain hopeful that their calls for better enforcement and accountability will lead to a safer campus environment for everyone. Ensuring that walkways are respected and that proper safety measures are followed by all road users will be crucial to improving the overall safety on campus. Students are eager to see changes that will make walking around campus a safer, more convenient experience for all.
