For Amaka Okoli, the journey from a Lagos banking job to navigating the chaotic streets as a bus driver has been nothing short of transformative. Three years ago, after losing her job in Nigeria’s economic capital, the 38-year-old mother of three swapped office files for a steering wheel—a move she never imagined but now fully embraces.
“Female commercial drivers were almost unheard of in Lagos, but that’s changing,” Okoli says. “We need to make money, and this job puts food on the table.”
Her day starts at 5:30 AM, capitalizing on the rush-hour crowd, and ends by late afternoon, allowing her to juggle her responsibilities as a homemaker. But maneuvering through the city’s cutthroat transportation system requires resilience.
Breaking Into a Male-Dominated Field
Lagos’ famous yellow buses, known as Danfo or Korope, transport around 10 million people daily. The drivers must be loud, aggressive, and quick-thinking—traits often associated with men. However, economic hardships and cultural shifts are forcing more women to step behind the wheel.
“Being a bus driver means I have to be bold, call out to passengers, and compete with male drivers who don’t always take us seriously,” Okoli explains. “But passengers prefer female drivers. Our buses are cleaner, and we drive more carefully.”
The financial pressure on Nigerian families has intensified, especially after recent economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu, including fuel subsidy removals and currency devaluation. As household costs surge, many women have had to take on unconventional jobs to keep their families afloat.
More Than Just Bus Drivers
It’s not just public buses—women are also making waves in ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt. Victoria Oyeyemi, president of Ladies on Wheels Association of Nigeria (LOWAN), notes that her organization has grown from just six women in 2018 to over 5,000 today.
“We created this network to support each other,” Oyeyemi says. “We exchange work tips, share safety strategies, and even run savings groups to help with big expenses like school fees.”
However, challenges persist. Female drivers face harassment from male colleagues, pressure from traffic wardens demanding bribes, and the constant stress of Lagos’ unpredictable roads.
Despite these hurdles, Okoli remains determined. “It’s tough, but it’s better than being unemployed,” she says, noting that after expenses, she takes home only 40% of her earnings.
As Nigerian women continue pushing boundaries in male-dominated fields, one thing is clear—they are not just driving buses, they are driving change.
