
By Ayomide Adegboro, Wuraola Amodu, Joy Ichi, Adora Ayodeji, and Kehinde Balogun
One cannot deny that the ongoing economic crisis in Nigeria has significantly affected the activities of the UNILAG campus cab drivers. Barely weeks after a sharp increase to ₦150 from ₦100, cab fares have risen again, from ₦150 to ₦200 for commuting to any stop on campus.
Cab drivers must survive as fuel prices and daily expenses skyrocket. The increase is just an added burden to students’ daily struggles. This has caused a severe imbalance between what students can afford and the profits drivers make to make ends meet. UNILAG Sun takes a microscopic view of the realities to understand the perspectives of all involved.
Mr Michael Ekemeka, the Duty Manager and Acting Secretary of the Cabs Association, revealed the struggles that led to the recent fare hike. He attributed the fare hike to rising costs of essential items, especially fuel and vehicle parts.
“Fuel prices have skyrocketed—from ₦7000 for a litre to ₦1,200. Engine oil now costs ₦25,000 to ₦26,000, and tyres and other spare parts have all increased. We had no choice but to increase fares,” he explained.
Mr Ekemeka further clarified that setting new fares involves careful consideration.
“We reviewed fuel costs and their impact on business while considering students’ struggles. As fathers with children in school, we try to keep fares reasonable and affordable.”
He added that proposals are submitted to the university management for approval.
“In these proposals, we try to make them understand the need for an increment. The management will then review it and give feedback. They can sometimes reject the increment or even set it below the price demanded. We just have to work with it.”
Undoubtedly, students depend on cabs for daily commuting around campus, and this significant fare increase impacts them. Segun, a first-year student, shared his insights on this pressing issue.
“I rely on cabs every day. The increase in fares caught me off guard. Everyone is dealing with financial pressures, and it’s harder when classes get cancelled at the last minute. It’s frustrating,” he explained.
Mr Ekemeka also emphasised the sacrifices cab drivers make to ensure smooth transportation for everyone relying on their services.
“We usually have peak hours. These are the periods, like early in the morning and at the close of activities after lectures and work, where there is an influx of passengers who want to take a cab to their various stops. For instance, in the mornings, when everyone is rushing to their activities and long queues form at busy stops like the university’s first gate, we often pick up commuters and drop them off at less crowded stops, like Moremi Campus. We quickly return to the gate without typically loading up passengers again so that we can transport the students waiting at the stops to their classes on time. In the end, we make less during this peak period.”
Another cab driver, Mr Bobby, shared his perspective on the fare hike. “Without any increase in fuel prices, this is a fair price. But if fuel prices rise, it won’t be fair. We’re hoping the price will decrease, but if it goes higher, we just keep wasting our time here to go home with nothing. When students resume physically on-campus, and there’s more work, the price is fair, but anything lower, given the current fuel costs, won’t work for us.”
Nigeria’s current economic situation has genuinely affected the operation of cab services on campus. One can only hope that things get better.
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