Nigeria’s Distorted Priorities 2: Lagos focuses on ride-hailing vehicles while danfo buses remain as is by Michelle Aliri
The Lagos State Government recently ordered all drivers working with ride-hailing companies like Uber, Bolt, Lagride, and InDrive to bring their vehicles for roadworthiness inspections. This new rule is aimed at making sure these private cars are safe for passengers and meet necessary safety standards.
The government’s goal is to reduce accidents and protect commuters by checking these private vehicles regularly. This decision came as part of wider concerns about road safety in Lagos, where many people rely on different modes of transport every day.
Most Lagos residents still depend heavily on the yellow Danfo buses to move around the city. About 10 million people use these buses daily because they are the cheapest and most accessible form of travel for many. Danfos have been a part of Lagos for decades, offering affordable rides for less than 500 naira per trip. However, many Danfos are old and poorly maintained. They often have broken or missing seats, expired tires, faulty brakes, and no basic safety equipment like seat belts or fire extinguishers. Even though these buses operate under the government’s control, the rules for their upkeep and safety are often ignored or poorly enforced.
This situation shows a clear problem. While private ride-hailing cars like Uber and Bolt must now go through strict safety checks, the Danfo buses used by many more people and regulated by the government still run in unsafe conditions. Danfo drivers often make very little money, which makes it hard for them to maintain their vehicles properly. Yet, most of the government’s attention is focused on the private cars, while the public buses carry on in poor shape without strong oversight.
Many Lagosians feel frustrated by this difference because millions who rely on Danfos every day face greater risks. At the same time, private ride-hailing services are much more expensive and less accessible to the majority of the population. With rising fuel prices and inflation, some middle-class Lagosians have even returned to taking Danfos because they are cheaper.
If Lagos wants safer roads and better travel for everyone, the government needs to apply equal rules and care to both private and public transport. Checking only the ride-hailing cars while ignoring Danfo buses puts many commuters in danger and does not solve the bigger problems. More funding, better maintenance, and stronger safety enforcement for Danfos are necessary steps to help millions travel safely.
In summary, while inspecting Uber, Bolt, and other private vehicles is a positive step, the real challenge is improving the entire transport system in Lagos, especially the Danfos that carry the most people. Lagos must ensure that all vehicles on its roads are safe and reliable, so everyone can travel with confidence and peace of mind. True commuter safety and improved transport reliability in Lagos demand not just audits of the private sector, but urgent, consistent enforcement of standards across all public and private vehicles including the notorious Danfos. Until then, the double standard will persist as a daily inconvenience and danger to millions of Lagosians on the move.
