LagRide Deploys 185 Captains In Two Weeks, Targets 1,000 More As Uber Exits Nigeria

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

LagRide has accelerated the expansion of its driver network, deploying 185 new Captains within two weeks, as the Lagos mobility company targets another 1,000 drivers amid major changes in Nigeria’s ride-hailing market following Uber’s exit.

The company deployed 100 Captains two weeks ago, followed by another 85 Captains in its latest deployment, marking one of LagRide’s most significant periods of driver mobilisation and signalling a sharp increase in the pace of its expansion.

The latest 85 Captains were inducted under the third phase of LagRide’s Driver-to-Ownership programme, which combines professional driver development, access to vehicles and a structured pathway towards eventual vehicle ownership.

Speaking during the latest deployment ceremony, Executive Director of LagRide, Mrs Mildred Ekanem, urged the newly inducted Captains to uphold professionalism, discipline and excellent customer service, stressing that they represent both the LagRide brand and Lagos State whenever they are on the road.

She described the rapid deployment as part of LagRide’s broader plan to build a large pool of professionally trained drivers while creating opportunities for Nigerians to progress from operating vehicles to owning them.

The expansion comes at a significant moment for Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry. With Uber exiting the Nigerian market, competition is shifting towards platforms capable of combining technology with vehicle access, driver development and business models adapted to local operating conditions.

According to Ekanem, LagRide’s Driver-to-Ownership initiative operates in two stages. New entrants begin with a rental programme, operating LagRide vehicles under a weekly rental arrangement.

After a minimum of 90 days of consistent performance, Captains who meet operational, revenue and behavioural standards become eligible for the Drive-to-Own scheme.

Successful participants are subsequently assessed in collaboration with partner financial institutions, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), before being allocated brand-new LagRide vehicles under a structured ownership arrangement.

“Beyond providing jobs, we are building entrepreneurs and future vehicle owners. We want every Captain to see professional driving as a respected career with opportunities for long-term financial independence,” Ekanem said.

With 185 Captains deployed in just two weeks, Ekanem said LagRide is maintaining the momentum of its recruitment programme and is targeting 1,000 additional Captains as it scales its operations.

Once Captains transition into the ownership phase, LagRide’s relationship with them changes from the initial rental structure to a commission-based partnership similar to models used across the global ride-hailing industry.

The approach gives LagRide another point of differentiation as Nigeria’s mobility market adjusts to Uber’s departure. Rather than positioning drivers solely as users of a technology platform, LagRide is connecting professional training, vehicle access, earning opportunities and eventual ownership within one mobility ecosystem.

During an interactive session, Drivers Operations Manager, Mr Oreoluwa Olatunji, assured the new Captains that management was investing heavily in technology, marketing and corporate partnerships to increase ride demand and improve drivers’ earning opportunities.

He said a dedicated business development team had been established to attract more corporate clients and expand LagRide’s customer base across Lagos.

“There are many factors that determine your earnings, including your effort, strategy, fare pricing and the strength of the LagRide brand. We are working every day to create more opportunities for our Captains,” he said.

Olatunji urged drivers to remain active on the LagRide application, noting that success depends on understanding the platform, maintaining professionalism and adopting effective operating strategies rather than relying solely on chance ride requests.

Responding to concerns about limited ride requests in some locations, he disclosed that the company was intensifying customer acquisition campaigns and exploring strategic partnerships to expand demand and improve charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

He stressed that Captains who consistently demonstrate excellent customer service, discipline and operational efficiency would improve their chances of progressing into the ownership scheme.

Ekanem also reiterated that recruitment remains open to all qualified applicants regardless of gender, adding that although the latest batch consisted of men, the company remains committed to gender inclusion.

One of the newly deployed Captains, Mr Ehichoya Omoleme, described LagRide as a platform offering Nigerians an opportunity to build sustainable careers while providing quality transportation services.

He said his decision to join the platform was inspired by his positive experience as a passenger, adding that LagRide’s training had equipped him to deliver excellent customer service and contribute positively to Lagos’ evolving urban mobility system.

The deployment of 185 Captains within two weeks, alongside LagRide’s target of another 1,000 drivers, points to a new phase of expansion for the company as Nigeria’s ride-hailing market adjusts to Uber’s exit and locally built mobility platforms compete for a greater share of drivers and passengers.