Economic pressures push women to convert private cars into ‘Kabu-kabu’

Many women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria have converted their private cars into informal taxis, popularly known as “kabu-kabu,” to make ends meet.

Some female drivers told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that the move was necessitated by economic hardship.

The trend is becoming more visible, with women in luxury cars seen at major junctions and bus stops across the city and other parts of the country to pick up passengers.

A driver, Jane Nwaogara, said the development was largely driven by rising transportation costs following an increase in petrol pump prices.

“The economic hardship is biting hard. I have so many bills to pay, including my children’s school fees, feeding, utility and medical bills, among others.

“Above all these is the increasing cost in pump price of petrol. My salary cannot settle all of these, so I need to find additional income, thus my involvement in the kabu-kabu business,” she said.

Similarly, Blessing Okafor, a mother of three who operates along the Lugbe to Area 1 route, said she started conveying passengers earlier this year to cope with rising household expenses.

“I usually park at the junction in the morning and evening. Sometimes people are surprised when they see a woman driving a kabu-kabu, but it is the only way I can support my family,” she said.

Another driver, Habiba Moses, said the increase in fuel prices and the cost of living had made it necessary for many families to look for alternative income sources.

“When fuel prices go up, transport fares also increase. Many people cannot afford the regular taxis anymore, so they enter our cars,” she said.

Also, Erica Ekah said, “Recently, I discovered that more female drivers, in their very posh cars, are beginning to flood major junctions where we park to also pick up passengers with their vehicles.

“Transportation is critical to economic growth, and issues around it need to be taken seriously by governments at all levels for the betterment of citizens.”

Meanwhile, residents who patronise the service said the growing number of private cars operating as taxis reflected the economic pressure households in the capital city were facing.

Samuel Olatunde, a civil servant, said many workers now relied on side businesses to survive.

“Many private vehicles seen around busy junctions during rush hours are owned by workers trying to augment their income,” he said.

Some commuters, however, acknowledged that the presence of more private vehicles offering rides had helped reduce waiting time for transport, especially during peak periods.

A trader, Ruth James, said, ”I see people with very neat cars stopping to pick up passengers. Some of them are mostly women who just want to make extra money.”
An economist, Eric Eze, said that worsening economic conditions in Nigeria were pushing more women into sectors traditionally dominated by men, just to generate income.

“Women in particular are increasingly entering transport and other informal businesses to maintain household stability. The expansion of informal taxi services may continue if economic pressures persist and public transportation systems remain inadequate,” he said.