Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has boldly proclaimed that taxi driving is not just a job but a “noble means of livelihood” that Nigerians should embrace for a decent income. This statement came as part of his plans to combat the rampant issues of kidnapping and the notorious ‘one-chance’ robbery schemes plaguing the streets of Abuja. Starting January 2025, Wike announced, no commercial bus or taxi will be allowed to operate in the capital unless it has been properly vetted by security agencies.
In a recent address during the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme held in Garki, Wike laid out his vision for a more secure transportation system. He stated, “From January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security.”
It appears the minister is eager to ensure that every vehicle and driver is accounted for, asserting that “nothing like using any vehicle on the road” will be tolerated. The idea is to create a robust profiling system that will make passengers feel safe, with drivers’ names and vehicle numbers recorded for added security.
Wike’s comments also took a rather cheeky jab at the societal stigma surrounding taxi driving in Nigeria. He encouraged the newly empowered drivers, who received 80 new taxis at the event, to take pride in their roles. He pointed out the irony that many Nigerians who shun taxi driving in their home country often embrace the same jobs abroad without a second thought. “What you will see on social media is that he wants them to be taxi drivers,” he lamented. “We travel and see Nigerians who stay abroad and work as taxi drivers.”
The minister further highlighted the disparity in attitudes towards labor, saying that while Nigerians at home may look down on taxi drivers, their relatives abroad often thrive in the same role. “Instead of encouraging how to feed our families, the next thing we will see on social media is that they are giving them jobs as taxi drivers,” Wike criticized. “We can’t be taxi drivers here but we prefer taxi driving in London.”
Wike’s ambitious vision may very well pave the way for a new era of respect for taxi drivers in Nigeria, if, and only if, the implementation is as robust as he says it.
