Re-Cycle Partners with the GRA Empowerment Foundation to Launch Life-Changing Bicycle Initiative in Nigeria
Re-Cycle is proud to announce a brand-new partnership with the Gabriel Rotimi Aroge Empowerment Foundation to launch the Cycle-2-School Nigeria initiative. Unlike our existing partnerships across Africa, this collaboration is unique as GRA Empowerment Foundation is a newly formed organisation.
Re-Cycle is excited to be the sole bicycle provider for this initiative, supporting the GRA Empowerment Foundation in its mission to improve access to education and empower underserved communities through sustainable transport solutions in Nigeria.
Who are the GRA Empowerment Foundation?
The GRA Empowerment Foundation was founded by Gabriel Rotimi Aroge, a passionate advocate for education and community development. His foundation focuses on tackling social and economic challenges in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on education, empowerment, and sustainable development. The GRA Empowerment Foundation aims to remove barriers that prevent children from attending school regularly, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive.
One of GRAEF’s key initiatives is the Cycle-2-School program, which provides students with bicycles to improve school attendance and reduce dropout rates. However, access to bicycles alone is not enough—road safety is a crucial part of the initiative. GRAEF actively campaigns for improved pedestrian facilities, lower speed limits, and safer infrastructure to protect cyclists and other road users. By incorporating road safety education into the program, they ensure students can travel to school safely and confidently.
Why We Are Working in Nigeria
Nigeria is currently facing significant economic challenges. In May 2023, the country ended its fuel subsidy program, resulting in higher transportation costs, increased food prices, and a surge in the overall cost of living. With a population of 223.8 million people, many Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas, struggle with limited access to affordable and reliable transportation. These challenges often prevent children from attending school regularly, exacerbating educational inequalities.
In response to this, Re-Cycle is committed to providing an alternative, sustainable transportation solution. By encouraging cycling, we aim to help alleviate some of the pressures caused by rising transport costs. Cycling offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly way for students to commute to school, ensuring they can attend classes regularly despite escalating transportation costs.
This partnership with the GRA Empowerment Foundation will enable us to directly address these issues within the Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State. Together, we aim to provide students with the tools they need to overcome these challenges, improve their access to education, and promote sustainable mobility in the region.
How Will Re-Cycle and the GRA Empowerment Foundation Work Together?
Re-Cycle will provide bicycles sourced in the UK and ship them to Nigeria for distribution. In addition to the bikes, we will send essential spare parts and tools to support long-term maintenance.
To ensure sustainability, Re-Cycle will deliver hands-on training for local bike mechanics, equipping them with the necessary skills to keep the bicycles in good working order. We will also assist with delivery logistics and share expertise gained from years of working with African partners.
The GRA Empowerment Foundation, on the ground in Nigeria, will lead the local coordination of the project. This includes:
- Identifying students in need: Working with schools and communities to ensure bicycles go to those who will benefit most.
- Training and education: Providing road safety awareness sessions and basic bicycle maintenance training to students and local mechanics.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Tracking school attendance, student progress, and the overall impact of the project to inform future expansion.
Promoting road safety is a key part of this initiative. Many students will be cycling in areas with busy roads and minimal cycling infrastructure, making it essential to equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate safely. By combining bicycle distribution with road safety education, we aim to reduce accidents and encourage responsible cycling habits.
By working together, Re-Cycle and the GRA Empowerment Foundation aims to create a lasting, sustainable initiative that not only improves educational access for students today but also lays the groundwork for expanding the program to support even more communities in the future.
A New Beginning for Re-Cycle in Nigeria
This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for Re-Cycle. While we have established partnerships in several African countries, supporting the GRA Empowerment Foundation from the very beginning of this initiative allows us to play a key role in shaping its impact and future growth. With our experience in bicycle redistribution and the GRA Empowerment Foundation’s deep understanding of the local context, we are confident that this project will make a lasting difference.
By working closely with GRA Empowerment Foundation, we aim to create a sustainable and long-term solution that improves access to education, empowers local communities, and promotes cycling as an alternative mode of transport. But beyond just providing bicycles, this project prioritises road safety, ensuring that students not only gain mobility but also have the knowledge and infrastructure to travel safely.
We look forward to growing this partnership, refining the program, and expanding its reach to help even more young people in the years to come.
Stay tuned for updates on this exciting new project and the lives we will change—one bicycle at a time!
