Every week, Lagosmag seeks to understand how people survive their way of living in Lagos, Nigeria. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.
How long have you been in Lagos, and what brought you here?
E don tey wey I land for Lagos, na because of traffic wahala wey dey hia
What is your favorite aspect of living in Lagos?
My favorite part na when I see people dey run las las enter my danfo and dem dey talaka me small money. E easy to make quick cash for dis lagos
Can you share an interesting or memorable experience you’ve had in Lagos?
I go remember dat time wen I carry person wey wan hustle enter inside danfo, but im no gree pay. Na so touts begin dey follow us, e shock am scatter. Na by God grace e jump comot for danfo before dem catch am
In your opinion, what makes Lagos different from other cities?
For Lagos, everything dey on fast-forward mode! We sabi do things sharp sharp. No dulling for Lagos o!
How has Lagos influenced your personal and professional growth?
Lagos don show me levels o! For personal side, e don toughen my skin and teach me how to hustle. Professionally, I don learn how to maneuver through traffic like a boss!
Please share some of the challenges you’ve faced in Lagos and how you’ve overcome them?
E get one time pesin use fake money enter my danfo. I kukuma carry that pesin enta police station, make dem settle am. Na so I start dey shine my eyes well-well after that day
Wetin you think about the fast life for Lagos? You think say e good or bad?
Well, I go talk truth, Lagos life no be beans! Sometimes e fit tire person. But for me, the fast life na opportunity to make quick money, so I go yarn say e good for my hustle
Share one secret place or thing wey many people no sabi about for Lagos.
Make I tell you something, if you jam the correct buka for Agege, wey dey serve pounded yam and ogunfe soup, bros, your life go change forever! Na dia you go chop better Nigerian food
How Lagos don take shape your view of Nigerian culture?
Lagos na melting pot of different cultures. I don learn to understand and appreciate different tribes from my passengers. Lagos don open my eyes well-well
If you get chance to change one thing about Lagos, wetin e go be?
Hmmm, if I fit change one thing about Lagos, e go be say make dem reduce the traffic wahala scatter scatter. Make people fit move around without stress. But abeg, no remove the hustle and bustle, na hin make Lagos unique.
Abeg, tell us your advice for anybody wey dey plan to become a danfo driver for Lagos.
My advice na to buckle up and hold tight! Lagos na city wey no dey give space to dulling. Learn how to navigate the crazy roads, deal with different types of passengers, and always have a sense of humor to keep you going. E fit no easy, but if you sabi hustle, you go excel for dis danfo life
Remember, as a danfo driver, you go fit see, hear and experience many tins for Lagos wey go make you laugh and shake head. Just enjoy the journey and make sure you dey always show love and respect to your passengers. Las las, we all dey try find our way for this Lagos madness!
How you dey handle passengers wey dey give you trouble or bad situation for road?
To handle passengers wey dey give trouble or dey create bad situation for road fit dey chook eye. Wetin I don learn be say patience and understanding na the key. As I dey see passenger wey tough, I dey try keep calm and listen to wetin dem wan yan or wetin dey worry dem. Sometimes, people just need person wey go hear their tori. I dey listen well-well and try find solution if possible.
For situations wey happen for road like hold-up or accident, I dey maintain calm and dey follow all the right procedures. The safety of my passengers na priority, so I dey make sure say I inform dem about the situation. If we need another route or detour, I go explain why and make sure say everybody dey comfortable.
How you take sure say your passengers dey comfortable and safe?
E dey very important to me to make sure say my passengers dey comfortable and safe. I dey make sure say my danfo dey always in top condition, with correct seatbelts, lights and all the safety things wey dey require. I dey also keep am clean and tidy, as cleanliness dey contribute to passenger comfort.
I dey drive responsibly and I dey respect all traffic rules. I no dey drive kampe and I dey focus well-well on the road. I dey talk to my passengers well and I let dem know about any stops or delays wey we go experience.
Wetin you enjoy pass for being danfo driver for Lagos?
The thing I enjoy pass for being danfo driver for Lagos na the opportunity to relate with different people from different backgrounds. To fit relate with passengers and hear their tori dey really sweet my belle. Lagos na city wey get plenty different cultures, and through my work as danfo driver, I dey experience this diversity first-hand.
I also enjoy the sense of independence wey come with being a danfo driver. To get the freedom to waka round the city and take care of myself dey give me joy.
Finally, which message you like to share with Lagos people?
I wan use this opportunity to tell the people of Lagos say unity and understanding na the key to make our city better for everyone. Make we try to treat one another with kindness and respect, no matter the differences wey dey among us. Lagos na city wey dey full of opportunities and challenges, but together, we fit overcome any wahala.
Make we no forget to always support each other and give help when e dey necessary. Lagos na our own, and na together we go make am better for ourselves and future generations.
If you’re interested in talking about your “How Lagos?” story, this is a good place to start.