The Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has unveiled a new scholarship initiative aimed at supporting the university education of children of commercial drivers, with each selected beneficiary receiving ₦500,000 to assist with academic expenses.
The programme was launched by the Lagos State chairman of the union, Mustapha Adekunle Adio Olanrewaju, widely known as Sego, as part of efforts to improve the welfare of transport workers and their families. The initiative is designed to help children of drivers overcome financial barriers that often prevent them from completing their university education.
Under the first phase of the programme, about 20 students who are children of registered commercial drivers operating in Lagos State have been selected to benefit from the scholarship. Each of the beneficiaries will receive ₦500,000, bringing the total value of the support package to ₦10 million.
According to the union leadership, the scholarship fund is intended to assist beneficiaries in paying tuition fees, purchasing academic materials, and covering other educational expenses required for university study. The initiative specifically targets students who have already gained admission into Nigerian universities or those currently enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the unveiling of the programme, Olanrewaju said the initiative was conceived to reward the sacrifices made daily by commercial drivers who work long hours to support their families and keep the state’s transport system running.
He noted that many drivers struggle financially to send their children to school despite their efforts to provide better opportunities for their families. By offering scholarships, the union hopes to reduce the financial pressure on these families while encouraging academic excellence among the children of its members.
The NURTW chairman emphasized that the education of drivers’ children should not be neglected simply because their parents work in the transport sector, stressing that the scholarship programme is meant to ensure that talented students from such backgrounds have a fair chance of achieving their academic and professional goals.
Officials of the union also explained that the scholarship scheme forms part of a broader welfare programme being introduced under the current leadership of the Lagos NURTW. The union has been exploring several initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of drivers and providing social support for their families.
The transport union plays a major role in the daily movement of millions of commuters across Lagos, one of Africa’s largest cities. Thousands of commercial bus drivers, minibus operators and transport workers operate under the umbrella of the organization, providing services that keep the state’s economy and mobility system functioning.
