In 1956, the legendary Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti set record as the first Nigerian woman to drive a car. Before her breakthrough exploit, driving was considered an exclusive preserve for men. Women sat gracefully in the passenger seat, relying on their husbands, fathers, or drivers to navigate the roads. The idea of a woman behind the wheel was almost unimaginable. However, that was 69 years ago and a lot has statistically changed concerning the number of women behind the wheels.
While women initially narrowed interest to private driving, however, in recent years, there has been a surge in the number of women venturing into the male-dominated commercial transport business in Nigeria – working as taxi, danfo bus, tricycle and motorcycle taxi drivers.
Called “Korope” or “Danfo” depending on the size, the privately owned buses carry about 10 million passengers daily, according to a 2015 survey by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA).
However, the brave decision by these women to step into the commercial driving terrain has not been without loads of challenges. Apart from harassment and intimidation by their male counterparts, unaccounted daily levies violently collected by members of the National Union of Road Transportation Workers (NURTW) popularly known as ‘agberos’ threatens their interest in the job. This is aside extortions from traffic regulatory agencies including the police. According to them, failure to sort them when requested could lead to their vehicles been impounded.
Despite the Lagos State Government’s introduction of the harmonised transport levy of N800 for commercial bus drivers with the intent to curb extortion and payment of unauthorised charges, in January 2022, commercial drivers in the state still pay multiple levies.
Previous investigations and reports done before the harmonised levy revealed that the monies collected by the louts went to the Local Government and the ‘agberos’.
An estimate by ICIR in 2021 revealed that about N82.13bn every year goes to the agberos.
A female commercial driver recently suffered a brutal assault by a thug ‘Agbero’, while trying to prevent the theft of her car’s battery.
The attack occurred near the Oriental Hotel, where the suspect boarded her vehicle pretending to be a passenger heading to the Nigerian Law School.
According to the driver, she became suspicious when she caught a glimpse of the suspect attempting to remove her car battery through her rearview mirror.
When she confronted him, he launched a violent attack, beating her, tearing her clothes, and physically dragging her in public.
The victim’s face was left swollen, and she was seen crying in a widely shared video, pleading for justice and help.
The victim has demanded justice and action against persistent harassment faced by female commercial drivers in Lagos.
Speaking majorly in Yoruba, she said: “He started beating me when I asked him where he was taking my battery,” she sobbed in the video.
“Look at my face, look at what he did to me. He tore my clothes and battered me. Please, anyone watching this video, help me. Call human rights. Is this how a woman trying to survive should be treated?
“This man must be brought to justice. Let him be an example. I won’t leave him until I get justice. I’m doing a daily job just to survive. Is being a female commercial driver in Lagos a crime?,” the victim tearfully asked.
The above is one of the many cases of assault against female drivers in Lagos. However, some others who spoke with NewsClick Nigeria said while they are exposed to different forms of harassments daily, the levy collectors, traffic officers are lenient to them. Some of them explained that while they are not entirely ignorant of the attendant risks on the job, however, the hustle for survival motivated them to join.
Poverty, need for survival pushed us into commercial driving – Female drivers
A female commercial bus driver and mother of three who identified herself as Mrs Adewale told NewsClick Nigeria that she stepped into the big breadwinner role for the family when her husband lost his job some three years ago.
“Poverty motivated me to start driving. Why won’t I drive in this economy? I am a mother of three. I became the breadwinner since my husband lost his job three years ago, and all his efforts to get another proved abortive. You know how this country is — no connection, no job. It is well. I eventually introduced him to the business as well last year.
“This job isn’t for the weak at all. My first year was a terrible one, filled with harassment from the owner of the keke (I’m paying in installments), so I deliver to him daily. I remember a particular day when my tricycle was seized by the police while I was working. I got it back late and couldn’t meet up with my daily payment. I can’t forget the embarrassment I experienced in a hurry. At some point, the man (the owner of the keke) proposed a sexual affair. Thank God I’m done paying now and out of that den.
Adewale also confirmed enjoying preferential treatments from male colleagues, officers of the state traffic regulatory agency, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the ticketers.
“Aside from that, I enjoy some privileges as a woman, even on the road. LASTMA disturbs less, even the ticketers and our male counterparts make it easier as well.
“What a man can do, a woman can do equally. The price of poverty alone is a motivation o. The truth is driving isn’t even hard. Within 6 months, being nervous will be gone.
“The help of my male counterparts on the field even makes it easier to saty confident plus I am used to it already. I have three children to feed, my sister, I am super confident
She emphasized that she runs from anything that could cause her any problem.
“I love the fact that female drivers are being accepted . It’s so encouraging and all thanks to the profession because it’s the reason my family is still surviving.”
Mrs Omochikasi, a female tricycle driver (Keke Maruwa) who plies Ikotun axis said she rides for survival.
“Nothing really motivated me to start driving maruwa, I just found myself doing it for survival.
“Some of this agbero do consider us because of our gender, even if I’m faulty, because I’m a woman, they will just overlook and have to correct me on how to do things right while some others will act violently, quarrel and sometimes beat the women.
Omochikasi advised other women willing to take up driving to be willing and careful.
“Anyone who wants to be a female driver must be willing, careful and learn to exercise lots of patients because of the nature of the job., hot forced but willing to be a driver, it’s just that the person will just need to be careful.
“I’ve never been scared of being a female maruwa driver, I personally decided to be a driver although this I’m doing is not a long term job. The road safety tips I know, I practice them very well.
“Sincerely, some people are really encouraged to see female drivers out there and they throw their support and encourage them to keep them moving while few other people will feel pity on the females doing such a job.”
Miss Stella on her part explained that joblessness and decency not to resort into prostitution or stealing made her monetized her driving skills to survive.
“Joblessness pushed me into this profession. I refused to resort to stealing. When hunger became unbearable, I decided to monetize my driving skills.
“I face challenges frequently, particularly because I’m a young lady. Most times, it’s with my male counterparts. You know, unwanted touching and harassment. Even some of the officials we interact with daily can be difficult to deal with. However, I’ve learned to stand up for myself, and now they know not to mess with me.
“Another aspect of this job is that it’s made me tougher. I’ve started to see myself as a strong, independent individual. After all, bills must be paid.
Despite the harassments and ‘stigma’ of being a female driver, Stella said she remains undaunted. She also appealed to traffic regulatory agencies and the police to treat female drivers courteously.
“Personally, I feel there’s a stigma associated with being a female driver. The way some people address me while I’m driving makes me feel uncomfortable. Some people stare at me as if I’m doing something wrong. It’s sad.
“Despite all this, the job pays my bills, so I’m not too concerned. However, I believe society can do better. The road safety officials, police, and LASTMA could also improve their treatment of female drivers.”
For Mrs. Funmi, a mother of four who has been riding Keke Maruwa for almost two years now after the demise of her husband, the responsibilities on her outweighs the challenges on the job. A female keke (tricycle) rider named Mrs. Funmi shared her experience on her job.
Mrs. Funmi explained that at first, it was hard for her because she had to deliver a percentage of her total earnings to the owner of the keke. She explained that it was even better then because fuel was not as expensive as it is now. Food and many other things were not this expensive at all. She said she is not planning to do this job for a long time because it is not easy.
Another female keke rider, Miss Sherifat said though she finds her job really fun at times, the challenges she faces are that every man who comes her way tends to sexualize her, but she already knows how to handle them. Another challenge she faces is the number of garages and police she has to settle on a daily basis.
Female drivers take preferential treatment we give them for granted – NURTW official
Meanwhile, a staff of the NURTW who identified himself as Fatai said some female commercial drivers usually take undue advantage of their niceness to them but nonetheless, the union members are always decent and respectful to them. He said any member of the union caught harassing them are usually made to face the consequences of their actions.
“We have been nice to those female drivers, in fact, sometimes, if we collect 200 naira from the male drivers we will collect 100 from the female drivers because we have them as wives at home. But some of these women take this special treatment we give them for granted, all because they are women. They abuse the privilege we give them.
“Still we respect them irrespective of what they do because we have wives at home and for a woman to have that kind of courage to be a driver. And we don’t embarrass any of our female drivers nor beat them,” he said.
Lagos Government promise of support to women-owned, women-led businesses yet to manifest
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2023, promised to support women-owned and women-led businesses in the state to ensure they move to “the next level where they can also compete favourably and secure public contracts which would ultimately foster economic equality.”
However, this promise has not in any way reflected on the activities of women commercial drivers in the state.
In September 2024, the state government advocated a transport system that prioritised the needs and safety of women.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, during an interactive meeting with women-focused non-governmental organisations, stated that the discussion was aimed at sensitising communities to the available transportation options, the associated women’s rights, and the avenues for voicing concerns.
Dada explained that many women relied on public transportation to commute to work, take their children to school and access essential services, stating that safety and affordability in transportation remained significant challenges.
The Commissioner said, “It is essential to encourage women to engage directly with the government and seek accountability in our transport systems.
“Collaboration with your NGOs plays a pivotal role in creating awareness about safe transport for women and addressing issues like harassment.
“Let’s consider initiatives such as designated women-only transport services and community campaigns to promote awareness of safe commuting practices.
“Together, we can advocate a transport system that prioritises the needs and safety of all, especially the most vulnerable among us.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said that discrimination against women drivers was not permissible in the Lagos State law.
He stated that women had the right to report cases of harassment to the appropriate quarters and they would get help.
“In Lagos, we take exception to violence against women and children. It is not acceptable at all. The Governor is well recognised and known for his love for gender equity.
“So, if these women are being discriminated against by anybody, whatsoever, if they bring forward such a matter, I can assure you that they will get help,” Omotoso said.