LagRide, the smart mobility and e-hailing platform operated by CIG Group in partnership with the Lagos State Government, is rolling out 10,000 new drivers and vehicles ahead of the ember months, a period often marked by traffic congestion and surging demand for transport in Lagos.

The initiative, backed by a new vehicle leasing scheme with Nigerian banks, aims to strengthen mobility infrastructure while empowering local drivers with affordable access to vehicles. Each lease comes with a pathway to ownership, full insurance cover, maintenance support and flexible repayment structures linked to kilometres driven.

Chief Diana Chen, chair of CIG Group, said the expansion is designed to meet rising transport demand while creating economic opportunities. “Lagos becomes the heartbeat of Africa during the ember months. Churches fill, families reunite and our diaspora comes home. LagRide exists so that movement around the city is dignified, safe and joyful. By joining forces with Nigerian banks, we are handing the steering wheel of that experience to empowered local entrepreneurs,” she said.

A crowded ride-hailing market

The Lagos ride-hailing market has grown rapidly over the past decade, dominated by global players like Uber and Bolt. Both companies currently operate thousands of drivers in the city but face mounting complaints from users about high surge pricing, vehicle quality and safety concerns, especially during festive periods.

LagRide, launched in 2022 as a public-private initiative, is positioning itself as a homegrown alternative with state-backed support, strict safety protocols and an integrated training academy. Unlike its competitors, the company ties vehicle access to structured financing, which ensures drivers are not only operators but potential owners.

According to industry analysts, Lagos records over 1 million daily ride-hailing requests, with spikes during December when concerts, weddings and church events stretch mobility options. Analysts say adding 10,000 vehicles could ease bottlenecks while forcing rivals to rethink pricing and service delivery.

Training and safety standards

All incoming drivers will be trained through the LagRide Academy, which covers customer service, road safety, financial literacy and first aid. Graduates are expected to earn between ₦250,000 and ₦400,000 monthly, with top performers qualifying for vehicle ownership in as little as six months.

Each vehicle will be fitted with safety features such as panic buttons, driver-facing cameras and diagnostic feeds linked to LagRide’s command centres. These features, the company said, are designed to raise standards and differentiate the service from existing players in the market.

Jubril Arogundade, acting managing director of LagRide Nigeria Limited, said the programme is part of a broader strategy to meet global standards while responding to Lagos-specific challenges. “The new leasing programme gives drivers a transparent route to owning the cars they drive while raising service quality for riders,” he noted.

September rollout

The first batch of bank-financed cars is expected to hit Lagos roads before the end of September, giving the service a head start before the December travel surge. The company says its expansion also offers opportunities for non-drivers, who can lease vehicles and engage trained drivers, effectively turning transport into an investment channel.

Chen added that the initiative was about more than cars and finance. “This programme is about dignity of work, pride of service and the freedom for every Lagosian to move with confidence,” she said.

Industry watchers say LagRide’s scale-up could intensify competition in Lagos’ transport market, where efficiency, safety and affordability remain critical pain points for commuters.