While the city is still in sleeping mode and the sun yet to rise over the ever-bustling streets of Lagos, Molue drivers are already on the move, conveying passengers to their various destinations. 

Weekend Trust reports that Molue, a popular means of transportation in Lagos, which is gradually going into extinction, has been more than just buses but a lifeline for millions of commuters in the state.

Molue drivers face a multitude of challenges on a daily basis – from navigating through congested roads under the sun or rain to dealing with difficult passengers and the rickety nature of the buses. Their job is not an easy one. 

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But despite the challenges, they remain committed to their job of conveying passengers to their various destinations.

From the notorious Lagos traffic situation to rowdy passengers, as well as the constant need to maintain their buses, life for both drivers and their conductors is an endless struggle. However, operators agreed that the bustling era of Molue was a special time in the history of Lagos. 

“It was a time of excitement and adventure. We were young and making a living doing something we loved. It was glamorous to drive Molue bus,” one operator said.

While the buses may be gradually going into extinction, the memories and stories of the operators who worked on them remain fresh in the lives of commuters. 

A 65-year-old Kareem Adisa, who worked on Molue buses for over 15 years, disclosed that the business was extremely lucrative in the 1980s and 1990s

“During peak periods, we would make up to N50,000 to N70,000 per day. It was a lot of money at the time. We were able to take care of our families and invest in businesses,” he said.

Adisa attributed the success of Molue buses to their affordability and reliability. Quoting Fela Kuti, he said: “59 persons will be sitting while 99 others are standing. The buses were cheap and accessible to average Lagosian. 

“We would load the buses to capacity and people would still hang by the doors and windows. It was a chaotic but efficient system of transportation.

Another operator, Jimoh Salami, echoed Kareem’s sentiments: “I worked on Molue buses for over 12 years and was able to build a house and send my children to school. I also opened a shop for my wife at the city centre, Idomota.

“It was hard work but it paid off. We would work from dawn till dusk. Sometimes we would deal with difficult passengers. But it was worth it in the end.”

Molue buses may have gone, but their legacy lives on. Many of the operators who worked on the buses have gone on to start their own transportation businesses, shuttling inter-state, while others invested in other ventures. 

As Lagos continues to evolve and grow, it is clear that Molue buses will always be remembered as an integral part of the city’s history and development.

“Molue buses may be gone, but the memories and the lessons we learnt from them will stay with us forever,” Adisa said.

But Muyideen Salako said the life of a Molue driver was not a pleasant one as their daily earnings ranged from N5,000 to N10,000; hence many of them struggled to make ends meet. 

He explained that those who made huge profits were owners of the buses. “Owners of the buses would stay at home or union offices while drivers sweat it out on the roads daily,” he said.

He lamented that the present high cost of fuel, coupled with the constant need for vehicle maintenance, ate deeply into their profits, leaving them with barely enough to feed their families.

He further said: “The job of a Molue driver comes with personal cost. Long hours on the road mean time away from family and friends. The physical demands of the job take a toll on our health, and the constant stress of navigating through chaotic traffic can be overwhelming.”

He, however, said that despite the challenges they face, Molue drivers remain resilient and proud of the work they do. 

“We are used to be the roads in Lagos. In the 1980s and 1990s, passengers would crowd roadsides and bus stops every morning and at the close of work, waiting for the arrival of the ‘King of the Road.’

“To true Lagosians, waking up to find the major roads without the presence of yellow buses showed a sign of danger ahead,” he said with a chuckle.

He added that Molue drivers were the unsung heroes of the Lagos transportation system as they provided vital services to millions of commuters, some of who are now big-time businessmen.

While sharing his early days experience in Lagos with some graduating students of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, the chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, disclosed, “I was residing at Ojuelegba, and to get to work in the morning, I used to go by the popular means of transportation, which is by Molue.”

Lagos ‘King of the Road’ goes extinct

Weekend Trust reports that the once ubiquitous Molue is rapidly disappearing from the city’s transportation landscape as urbanisation has forced them to restrict their movement to certain routes. Right now, the only places they are seen are Agege, Iyana Ipaja, Ebute-Ero, Oyingbo, Ikorodu and few other areas.

For decades, these large, colourful buses were the primary means of transportation for millions of Lagos residents, earning a reputation for their affordability and reliability. However, with the introduction of more modern and efficient transportation systems, such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and LAGBUS, Molue’s popularity began to wane. 

The efforts of the Lagos State Government to promote a more organised and sustainable transportation system also contributed to the decline of Molue.

In recent years, the state government has implemented policies aimed at phasing out Molue, citing concerns over safety, environmental impact and traffic congestion. Its ban on major routes that lead to Lagos Island has further accelerated their decline.

Today, the once-thriving Molue industry is a shadow of its former self. Many of the buses have been retired, while others have become scraps. 

The few remaining operators are struggling to stay afloat, faced with increasing competition from newer, more efficient transportation options.

Like Tony Elumelu, while some Lagos residents may nostalgically remember the Molue era, others welcome the changes in the city’s transportation landscape. 

“In its time, Molue was a necessary evil. I am glad we now have better options,” a Lagos resident said.

While it may be the end of an era, it is also a new beginning for commuters.

Lagosians share experiences

For many Lagos residents, the Molue bus was more than just a mode of transportation, it was an adventure. Some residents shared their experiences.

 Ekene Ilo said, “I remember how bus drivers would be on speed and the conductors would hang by the doors shouting at passengers to make little space where he could squeeze himself in. It was like something out of a movie.”

He said the most interesting aspect of it was the race by hundreds of passengers struggling to find space inside the already crowded buses.

“You would consider yourself lucky if you didn’t get injured or your cloth torn from the sharp edges of the bus while struggling to get into the moving box,” he added.

Another resident, Chidi Obi, recalled a particularly harrowing experience: “We were packed like sardines while the bus was moving very fast. I thought we were all going to end up in a ditch somewhere. When I eventually arrived at my destination, I heaved a sigh of relief.”

A resident who identified himself as Yekini also said, “It was always an adventure. You never knew what was going to happen next.”

Jide Oke said, “I remember one time when I was squeezed between two large women and I couldn’t breathe. I almost vomited from the stench oozing from their sweaty armpits. I thought I was going to pass out.”

But despite the discomfort, many residents relied on the buses as their primary mode of transportation. “It was affordable and got you where you needed to go,” Obi James also said.

The buses were also known for their vibrant colours and lively atmosphere. James said, “They were always painted in bright yellow and black colours. The conductors would shout out destinations for passengers.”

Many residents recalled the challenges to include constant presence of hawkers and beggars in the buses.

 Emmanuel Okechukwu said, “It was annoying, but it was just part of the experience.”

Tunde Adeyemi also said, “Molue buses were a symbol of the resilience and resourcefulness of Lagos residents. They may have been rough around the edges, but they got the job done.”

Operators share their stories

Recently, some former Molue operators gathered to share their stories and reminisce over the good old days. They spoke about the huge profits they made, the challenges they faced and the camaraderie that existed among them.

One operator who wished to remain anonymous said, “We made a lot of money during the Molue era. On a good day, I could make up to N50,000, which was a lot of money back then.”

Alhaji Agba said: “The days were always busy during the era of Molue. My bus was usually loaded to capacity. I was always able to make multiple trips; and by the end of the day, I would make a fortune.”

Leaders of NURTW recall wild days

Leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the Agege area of the state shared stories of violence, gang rivalry and street fights that once defined the union. They detailed how they navigated the treacherous landscape of motor parks and the transportation industry.

According to one of the leaders who simply identified himself as Samshudeen, the early days of the union were marked by intense rivalry between different factions and gangs, often leading to bloody clashes. 

He recounted how these conflicts frequently spilled to the streets, causing chaos and disrupting the lives of other residents.

“It was usually battles of supremacy – one faction trying to topple another. And the fracas would leave trails of blood and death behind,” he said.

One of the leaders who chose to remain anonymous described how he was once involved in a fierce battle between rival gangs at a motor park, saying, “It was a war zone. We fought with everything we could find – sticks, stones, even broken bottles.”

Another official who identified himself as Lekan spoke on how the union leaders would often settle disputes through street fights and the winner would earn control over lucrative motor parks and transportation routes.

He also acknowledged that those violent days were now largely behind them; and attributed the transformation to a series of reforms and efforts to professionalise the union, as well as increased cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

“Today, the NURTW has evolved into a more organised and structured organisation with a focus on promoting the welfare of its members and improving the transportation sector in Nigeria,” he added.