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Updated: Lagos rolls out mini-buses to replace okada in two months

Published

5 years ago

May 19, 2021

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled cashless First and Last Mile (FLM) buses that will ply inner routes expected to replace commercial motorcycles (okada) in the state.
A total of 300 FLM buses in the first phase of the scheme were rolled out on Tuesday out of the expected 5,000 units
Sanwo-Olu, while unveiling the FLM bus scheme at the Lagos State House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, said the need to phase out okada was the reason their introduction.
He said government would observe the operation of the FLM for two months to know its performance in meeting the needed demand before he would pronounce total ban on okada operation.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the FLM vehicles were assembled locally, adding that the mini-passenger buses (with capacity for seven to 11 people) would operate on 286 community routes.
Part of the statement read, “They will take passengers from closest points to their areas of residence to standard transportation corridors. Payment for FLM services will be through an automated payment system, using Cowry Travel Cards. Cowry Travel Card holders who use them on BRT buses and standard route buses can use their cards on FLM buses.
“For ease of operation of the scheme, the Lagos State Government delineated the FLM’s corridors into eight zones, comprising Ikeja and Ketu (Zone 1), Oshodi, Mushin, and Surulere (Zone 2), Berger, Yaba and Oyingbo (Zone 3) and Lagos Island, Ajah and Ibeju Lekki (Zone 4).
Others are Iyana-ipaja and Agege (Zone 5), Mile 2, Iyana-Iba and Ajeromi (Zone 6), Ikorodu (Zone 7) and Epe and Badagry (Zone 8).”
Sanwo-Olu also inaugurated brand-new 100 high- and medium-capacity buses into the fleet of Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL) to replace vehicles burnt at BRT stations during the wave of violence that marred the EndSARS protests, last October.
The governor said the mini-buses would address okada-related crises that had generated widespread concern on safety among residents. They would offer services which the high-capacity buses were not designed for, he added.
He said, “The launch of the First and Last Mile (FLM) Bus Scheme today is an important milestone in our quest to achieving the intermodal transport system which gives our teeming population the choices they deserve, reducing congestion and journey times, and improving the quality of life.
“It is also in fulfilment of one of the measures we promised as a solution to the security situation discussed at our recent Security Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting.
“As a responsible Government, we are launching this scheme in response to two major issues. One is the alarming statistics of fatal accidents recorded from the operations of okada in Lagos between 2016 and 2019, and the use of okada for the facilitation of crime across the metropolis.
“The goal is the full implementation of a safer and more efficient alternative transport solution that takes out the need for okada and replaces them with safer buses that will help us curb incidents of Okada-related accidents, crime and robberies.”
The statement also disclosed that a ride on the FLM buses would come with a premium insurance policy on the lives of passengers and the drivers, adding that the operation and maintenance of the buses had been handed over to private operators for efficiency and turnover.
Sanwo-Olu said the State Government had been working with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as major stakeholders in the state’s Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) being implemented by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
He said, “I call on NURTW, RTEAN and all other stakeholders in the public transportation value chain to ensure that these new buses are well maintained and protected, so that the goals of the new service can be fully realised, and all those who invested can derive maximum value from their investments.
“Our local councils’ chairmen must play their parts in ensuring the roads are free from encumbrances likely to impede the smooth running of the FLM buses. I charge our security and law enforcement agencies to be alive to the crucial role they have to play in the success of this scheme.”
Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladehinde said the scheme was a component of the state’s transport system meant to offer relief to residents in the hinterland in accessing the standard transport corridors through safe means.
He said, “In line with the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Transportation and LAMATA, has put in place various measures aimed at readjusting its transportation strategies to accommodate FLM scheme to provide all inclusive, safe, convenient, affordable, and accessible services in line with global practices.”
Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said the FLM buses operations would start immediately in Zones 2,3,4,5, and 7 captured in the first phase of the bus scheme.
Akinajo said a monitoring mobile application had been designed for real time data collection as well as vehicle tracking purpose to ensure safety, adding that all drivers to be engaged in the FLM scheme would be certified by the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) to ensure that they are fit to operate the buses.
“We will ensure proper maintenance of the buses to guarantee their service longevity. Maintenance of the buses will be outsourced to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), which will be responsible for executing all preventive and corrective maintenance needs. Operators will ensure that buses are maintained in line with the best engineering standard,” she said.

Related Topics:Featured Lagos mini-buses okada replacement

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Ex-CIG Motors GM Jubril of Lagos floats Hybrid Motors Nigeria

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Ex-CIG Motors GM Jubril of Lagos floats Hybrid Motors Nigeria

A former General Manager of CIG Motors, Jubril Arogundade, popularly known as “Jubril of Lagos,” has unveiled a new automotive venture, Hybrid Motors Nigeria, with a bold ambition to reshape access to hybrid, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric vehicles across the country.

Arogundade announced the launch on his birthday, Saturday, February 28, describing the company as a response to Nigeria’s growing appetite for cleaner and more flexible mobility options. He said Hybrid Motors Nigeria aims to build “a unicorn brand in the automobile industry” within five years by bridging gaps in vehicle availability, service capacity, and supporting infrastructure.

According to him, the company’s strategy will rest on seven core pillars: local assembly of hybrid and electric vehicles; nationwide distribution of petrol, hybrid and EV models; establishment of aftersales service and training centres; spare parts supply and distribution; deployment of EV charging systems and stations with what he described as “energy intelligence”; auto asset financing; and vehicle leasing services.

He disclosed that the company’s physical rollout would be phased, with an official showroom scheduled to open in June, while plans are underway to commence factory operations next year. Although he alluded to strategic partnerships that would accelerate market entry and industry transformation, he did not name the partners.

The launch comes at a time when hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles are attracting increasing interest in Nigeria, driven by rising fuel costs, demand for lower operating expenses, and a broader shift towards cleaner transportation. Fleet operators and private motorists alike are exploring options that offer fuel flexibility and more predictable maintenance.

Hybrid Motors Nigeria said its model goes beyond vehicle sales, combining product supply with service readiness through technical training, parts availability, and charging infrastructure to prevent post-purchase support gaps that often slow adoption.

Further details on the company’s initial vehicle lineup, partnership framework, and rollout timeline are expected ahead of the showroom inauguration.

Arogundade’s announcement follows his recent exit from CIG Motors.

While the company’s Chairman, Diana Chen, had announced the termination of his appointment after an investigation reportedly indicated alleged financial misappropriation and abuse of office, Arogundade has maintained that he voluntarily resigned on December 2, 2025, in line with his contractual and internal corporate obligations.

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Lagos Motor Fair @20: Autoparts Leaders’ Summit Returns as Global OEMs Storm Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

February 28, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos Motor Fair @20: Autoparts Leaders’ Summit Returns as Global OEMs Storm Nigeria

LAGOS — Momentum is gathering for the 20th Lagos Motor Fair and 13th Africa Autoparts Expo, with organisers promising a landmark edition that will redefine West Africa’s premier automotive exhibition.

The three-day event is scheduled for March 17 to 19, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, and is expected to draw key players from across the global automotive value chain.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, described the forthcoming edition as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s automotive industry.

“We have curated a truly all-inclusive event to ensure a rewarding experience for every stakeholder,” Agwu said.

“This milestone 20th edition will stand out — richer in content, broader in participation, and deliberately structured to transform the fair from a trading platform into a catalyst for industrial and economic advancement.”

Leaders’ summit takes centre stage

A major highlight of the 2026 edition is the return of the Autoparts Market Leaders’ Conference/Summit after its successful debut last year. The high-level forum is designed to promote unity among traders, importers, distributors, manufacturers and policy influencers within Nigeria’s expansive automotive components market.

Under the theme, “Transforming the Automotive Component Parts Industry in Nigeria: Leadership Strategies for Growth and Sustainability,” the summit will examine strategies for reducing import dependence through expanded local manufacturing, building a central leadership framework to enhance coordination, forging strategic alliances with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and strengthening supply chains through structured bulk procurement systems.

With Nigeria widely regarded as a dominant force in Sub-Saharan Africa’s autoparts trade, the summit is expected to deepen collaboration and provide practical solutions for long-term growth.

Lagos Motor Fair @20: Autoparts Leaders’ Summit Returns as Global OEMs Storm Nigeria

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Mikano, Autochek Target Financing Gap in New Push for Vehicle Ownership, launch virtual showroom

Published

5 days ago

February 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Mikano, Autochek Target Financing Gap in New Push for Vehicle Ownership, launch virtual showroom

Mikano Motors has said its new partnership with Autochek Africa is aimed at delivering a more complete vehicle ownership experience by combining premium mobility with smarter financing solutions for Nigerian customers.

Speaking on the collaboration in Lagos on Friday at the launch of a Mikano Motors virtual showroom on Autochek’s platform, Joelle Haykal, Group Executive Director of Mikano Motors, described the deal as an extension of the company’s long-standing ownership philosophy.

She said, “Our focus has always been on delivering not just new vehicles, but a complete ownership experience. That includes up to six years’ warranty or up to 200,000 kilometres, nationwide aftersales support, and the confidence that comes from a 33-year legacy of trust.”

According to her, Mikano’s vehicles are specifically engineered for Nigerian roads, with durability and performance at the core of their design, ensuring customers drive with peace of mind.

She noted that the partnership with Autochek Africa would allow the company to go beyond vehicle sales by integrating premium products with flexible, structured financing options.

“This partnership allows us to combine premium mobility with smart financing solutions, giving customers greater flexibility, confidence and control over how they own a vehicle,” Haykal added.

On its part, Autochek Africa said the collaboration is focused on addressing what it described as the real barrier to vehicle ownership in Nigeria — limited access to financing.