GTCO to Donate 3,000 Bicycles to Pupils in Six States Under #BeatTheDistance Initiative

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced the second edition of its #BeatTheDistance initiative, with plans to distribute 3,000 bicycles to schoolchildren in six states as part of efforts to improve access to education in underserved communities.

The beneficiaries, drawn from Ebonyi, Jigawa, Benue, Oyo, Akwa Ibom and Ekiti states, will receive the bicycles to help reduce the burden of travelling long distances to school, improve attendance and enhance learning outcomes.

The company disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the 2026 intervention builds on the success of the programme’s maiden edition in 2019 and reflects its commitment to expanding educational opportunities through practical community-focused initiatives.

According to the statement, the bicycles are intended to ease transportation challenges faced by pupils, enabling them to spend less time commuting and more time learning, while boosting their confidence and academic performance.

Speaking on the initiative, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, described education as one of the most effective tools for transforming lives and creating opportunities.

He said, “Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and creating opportunities. Through the #BeatTheDistance Initiative, we are supporting students whose determination to learn is often tested by the distance they travel each day to access education.”

Agbaje added that the provision of bicycles would help reduce fatigue, improve school attendance and expand learning outcomes for children of school age.

He further stated: “At GTCO, we believe that meaningful impact comes from addressing real challenges within communities. #BeatTheDistance is one of the ways we are investing in the future by supporting young people and helping to create conditions that enable them to succeed. We remain committed to initiatives that promote inclusion, expand access to opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development.”

GTCO said the initiative forms part of its broader corporate social responsibility agenda focused on education, youth empowerment and community development. It noted that by reducing the time students spend travelling to school, the programme would continue to provide practical support that empowers young people to pursue their education and realise their full potential.