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Updated: Lagos rolls out mini-buses to replace okada in two months
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.
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Jetour Nigeria consolidates as sole authorised distributor, gets global market award
Jetour Nigeria consolidates as sole authorised distributor, gets global market award
Jetour Nigeria has consolidated its position as the exclusive representative of the Jetour brand in the country following its 2022 appointment by Jetour International.
The company said the move to clarify its exclusive status came after its successful hosting of the “Jetour Experience” in Lagos, where it unveiled its nationwide dealership structure and addressed lingering market ambiguity over distribution rights.
Since securing the mandate in 2022, Jetour Nigeria has led the importation, distribution, and provision of manufacturer-backed after-sales services for the brand’s full vehicle range in the country.
Its growing influence recently earned global recognition at the 2026 Jetour Global Conference, where the firm received the “Market Share Leadership Award 2025,” underscoring its dominance in the African market.
To strengthen nationwide service delivery, the company operates through a network of seven authorised dealers — Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era Autovehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe Plc, TAB Autos Limited, and Mandilas Motors.
These partners, according to the company, are the only entities authorised to sell and service Jetour vehicles in Nigeria.
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At the four-day exhibition held at the Podium Events Centre, the dealers provided product information and customer engagement services, reinforcing what the company described as a unified and regulated distribution ecosystem.
“The ‘Jetour Experience’ was more than a celebration; it was a statement of clarity,” noted a representative of Jetour Nigeria. “By bringing our seven authorized dealers together under one roof, we have shown the public exactly where the Jetour brand lives.
“Since our 2022 appointment, we have invested heavily in a structure that guarantees customers genuine parts, expert technicians, and valid warranties—benefits, only available through our official channels.”
The company also received a boost from the visit of Anguo Yuan, Vice President of Jetour International, who commended the Nigerian team for its rapid expansion and infrastructure investment.
Industry recognition has followed the brand’s growth, with awards including the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association’s New Entrant of the Year, Fastest Growing Auto Brand, and Car of the Year for the Jetour Dashing.
Jetour Nigeria said its current lineup — including the rugged T2, plug-in hybrid models, and the flagship G700 — reflects its commitment to innovation and market leadership.
It advised customers to engage only its authorised dealer network to guarantee access to genuine parts, certified service, and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Jetour Nigeria consolidates as sole authorised distributor, gets global market award
Auto
Soueast Enters Nigeria with Robust SUV Portfolio, Sets Sights on Q3 Local Assembly
Soueast Enters Nigeria with Robust SUV Portfolio, Sets Sights on Q3 Local Assembly
Nigeria’s automotive landscape witnessed a significant shift on Wednesday as Soueast formally entered the Nigerian market, courtesy of the Kewalram Chanrai Group. The entry was marked by a media launch followed by a test drive of its full range of SUVs along the scenic Coastal Highway in Lagos, signalling a fresh wave of competition in the fast-evolving mobility space.
The high-profile event brought together dealerships, media, and auto enthusiasts, offering first-hand experience of the brand’s capabilities in real driving conditions.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Operating Officer, Mobility Division of Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr. Anil Sahgal, described the move as a strategic response to changing consumer expectations in Nigeria.
“For over 165 years, Kewalram Chanrai Group’s reputation has been built on trust delivered through consistency,” he said. “Our decision to bring Soueast into Nigeria is deliberate. Today’s Nigerian customer is more informed and focused on long-term value. There is a growing demand for vehicles that combine modern design, safety, technology, durability, and affordability — and Soueast fits precisely into this space.”
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The COO emphasized that the company is not merely introducing a new brand but backing it with robust infrastructure, including a structured dealership network, strong after-sales systems, skilled technical teams, and a long-term investment approach.
He noted that the SUVs unveiled had been engineered with Nigerian realities in mind, addressing road conditions, fuel efficiency concerns, durability needs, and total cost of ownership.
“This is not just a product launch; it is the beginning of a long-term commitment to a market that demands resilience, value, and consistency,” he added. “Our vehicles are built on three pillars — product integrity, adaptability, and value sustainability.”
Sahgal also disclosed plans to commence local assembly of the vehicles by the third quarter of 2026, underscoring the group’s long-term commitment to the Nigerian market.
The highlight of the event was the test drive session along the Coastal Road, where participants assessed the performance, comfort, and handling of the Soueast range under real traffic and road conditions — a move widely seen as a confidence-building step by the company.
Soueast Enters Nigeria with Robust SUV Portfolio, Sets Sights on Q3 Local Assembly
Auto
CFAO Mobility Open Day to offer special deals on new vehicles, parts, diagnostics
CFAO Mobility Open Day to offer special deals on new vehicles, parts, diagnostics
CFAO Mobility has announced plans to host the 2026 edition of its flagship CFAO Mobility Open Day, aimed at showcasing a wide range of innovative mobility solutions.
In a statement, the company said the event would take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 9am to 6pm.
The Open Day is expected to bring together leading global automotive and equipment brands in a dynamic exhibition tailored to meet diverse mobility needs.
Participating brands are Toyota, BYD, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Fuso, JCB, Howo, Sino Equipment, King Long, TechKing Tyres, Yamaha, Winpart and Auto Fast.
According to CFAO Mobility, attendees will experience an extensive display of products and services, ranging from brand-new vehicles and motorcycles to outboard engines, fleet management solutions, spare parts and aftermarket services.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will also feature test drives, professional vehicle diagnostics and exclusive spare-parts deals, offering participants a hands-on and engaging experience.
The company urged car enthusiasts, business owners and prospective buyers to take advantage of the Open Day to explore mobility solutions tailored to their personal and business needs.
With over 120 years of presence in Nigeria, CFAO Mobility remains a key player in the mobility and healthcare sectors.
It added that the Open Day reflects its continued commitment to delivering innovative, customer-focused mobility solutions.
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