In this interview with OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, road safety advocate and GRA Empowerment Foundation founder/president Mr. Gabriel Rotimi Aroge described how his organization is using cycling as a workable solution to remove the cost of transportation to schools for impoverished public school students through an initiative he called “Cycle2School Plus (C2S+).” During the pilot project’s launch in September and October, 1000 bicycles will be donated. Excerpts:
Tell us about yourself, please, sir.
The GRA Empowerment Foundation was founded by myself, Gabriel Rotimi Aroge. Beyond activism, I support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular emphasis on non-motorized transportation and road safety.
As a social entrepreneur and design thinker, I’m enthusiastic about innovative solutions that empower marginalized youth and have a positive impact on the community.
Describe your lobbying efforts and the factors that motivated you.
Our work is multifaceted. I specialize in leveraging cycling as a workable way to improve educational access for underprivileged public school students in Nigeria as a product designer and social enterprise developer. This September/October marks the start of our initiative, Cycle2School Plus (C2S+), which will give free, safe mobility to students—especially girls—who are burdened by long and hazardous walks to school.
The horrific event that occurred on October 21, 2006, when a crash at the Agric Bus Stop in Ikorodu claimed the lives of over 100 persons, gave rise to this advocacy.
The only survivor, my wife, was in the hospital for a year. My mission was sparked by this profound personal tragedy. After realizing the seriousness of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, I made the decision to support it through grassroots empowerment and innovation.
Increasing the protection and improvement of cycling and walking is at the forefront of our development since our target beneficiaries are members of the vulnerable and endangered road user groups.
Because of Nigeria’s low level of road safety education, cyclists and pedestrians pose a threat to themselves on the road and are frequently the targets of hostile, unpleasant, and inexperienced drivers.
When it comes to tackling the low level of road user illiteracy in Nigeria, we think that we can be “the change” with a platform like Cycle 2 School Plus.
Through C2S+, we are democratizing, decentralizing, and enterpriseizing road safety, which is what we believe is necessary.
Are your partners and audience understanding what you’re saying?
Yes, but there is yet opportunity for improvement. SDGs 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 16, and 17 are all in line with our goal. Through a single, scalable platform, we are tackling poverty, poor health and well-being, high-quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities, climate action, peace justice, and strong institutions and partnerships.
The most pressing issue facing Nigerian drivers today is reorientation; funding for a program aimed at changing their behavior is desperately needed to assist them in appreciating the work that law enforcement officials do.
Our plan is expected to be accepted 70% of the time; the remaining 30% will depend on how effectively we present cycling as a revolutionary alternative. Leaders in the business sector and those who shape policy must realize that this is a need, not a luxury.
What noteworthy accomplishments have you made thus far?
hosted ReCycle Bikes’ executive director in Africa at the Sussex Innovation Center in the United Kingdom.
visited Recycle’s warehouse in Colchester, UK, for a work visit. arranged for the Executive Director of ReCycle to visit Nigeria for the first time in February 2025, and collaborated with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to host the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week.
We joined FRSC and other partners in commemorating World Bicycle Day 2025. Afitz Bakare, a former national cycling champion, was appointed as a brand ambassador.
Dr. Charles O’Tudor, a brand strategist, was brought on board as a mentor and fundraising coordinator.
To finish the program’s implementation plan, we require local help. We have already received a donation of 1,000 bicycles and worldwide assistance to bring our first shipment of 500 bikes into Nigeria.
How is your business financed?
Volunteers and partners with years of pro bono experience are our greatest asset. The entire cost of shipping more than 500 bikes to Nigeria was paid for by ReCycle UK.
A company incubation program valued at over £10k was supported by the Sussex Innovation Centre. I received volunteer training from Brighton Bike Hub, and they currently provide technical support for our operations.
If we were to pay out of pocket, all of these would be quite expensive. I met our main partner, Re-Cycle Bike to Africa, through the Brighton Bike Hub, where I first volunteered as a mechanic apprentice during my MSc program at the University of Sussex. They have donated 1,000 bikes to support the launch of our pilot program in Lagos.
To help me, these international partners didn’t need to know who I was or where I came from. This cause is admirable; they have traveled to Nigeria to confirm our assertion, and they plan to continue pushing even more assiduously than they have in other African nations.
However, without Nigerian partners, we are unable to maintain this momentum. To participate in this historic endeavor, we are urging banks, insurance, FMCG companies, telcos, and charitable groups.
When students have to spend up to N90,000 for transportation each year, education isn’t free. We will remove this burden with C2S+.
For the first time, we will be introducing a fleet of bicycles for schoolchildren, who will have free use of the service for the duration of their attendance.
You would assume that education is truly free when you hear the phrase. How about transportation? Is that free as well? In the meantime, this is a daily expense that frequently causes many students to drop out of school, while those who are able to do so must trek for a considerable amount of time and in a hazardous manner to get to school in a staggered pattern. This does not result in the best performance and excellent results that these children would have if they had been given the same opportunities as their peers.
What advice would you give the Nigerian government on the infrastructure for cyclists?
While infrastructure is important, it is more critical to change behavior.
Let’s begin with campaigns for road safety, policy enforcement, and public education. Before any infrastructure can be effective, we must address driver aggression and risky driving practices.
Furthermore, accessible pathways and bike lanes must be incorporated into urban planning for cities like Lagos. LAMATA’s Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) policy must to be followed to the letter. However, we also need to make safe use of what we have.
How can we lower the number of traffic accidents in Nigeria?
Invest in educating all drivers about road safety. Justice serves as a deterrence, therefore enforce traffic laws and penalize infractions.
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Start educating the next generation in schools today. Encourage bicycling and walking as practical modes of transportation.
SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) should be incorporated and emphasized in transportation governance.
Today’s drivers will be better prepared thanks to our Cycle2School+ program.
Stricter enforcement of traffic laws is also necessary, as is the installation of improved road safety features like speed bumps and signage. Encouraging cycling can also assist cut down on the amount of cars on the road, which will lessen the likelihood of accidents.
What financial advantages does cycling offer Nigeria?
It’s inexpensive: Lowers transportation expenses for low-income families.
It lowers medical costs and encourages physical fitness.
It’s green because it reduces emissions and safeguards the environment.
Sparks is a company that operates nearby repair shops, rental properties, and training facilities.
It’s clever: Reduces traffic in densely crowded areas like Lagos.
What do you hope the GRA Empowerment Foundation will look like in five years?
Our goal is to become the foremost proponent of non-motorized mobility in Nigeria by 2030, with a presence in each of the 36 states.
We intend to: Collaborate with academic institutions (such as LASU, UNILAG, and NITT) to establish training centers. Create a nationwide volunteer force. Establish cooperatives for the repair of bicycles owned by the community.
By using our impact tracking system, provide scholarships. Increase the number of school-based Road Safety Clubs by working with FRSC.
What are some parting remarks for philanthropists and the private sector?
International partners have fulfilled their role; they were not required to be personally acquainted with us. They invested after seeing a compelling proposition. Nigeria must now step up to the challenge. Let’s collaborate with state governments, impact investors, international corporations, Rotary Clubs, and good-willed citizens. Together, we can use mobility to provide free, secure, and respectable access to education.
Join our movement and show your support. A child’s life can be permanently changed by a single bicycle, empathy
