By Angela Atabo
A homegrown ride-hailing platform, Wheela, has been inaugurated to address rising transport fares, promote fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s mobility sector.
At the inauguration of the platform on Sunday in Abuja, stakeholders described Wheela as a homegrown solution built specifically to address Nigeria’s transport realities and create employment opportunities.
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They emphasised its focus on creating a transparent, inclusive, and secure system that works for drivers, commuters, and unions alike.
The Manager of Wheela, Mr. Precious Osadinizu, said the platform was created to tackle long-standing challenges such as high commission fees, safety concerns, lack of transparency, and rising operational costs affecting both drivers and passengers.
Osadinizu noted that for decades, Nigeria’s transport system has relied heavily on resilient drivers and organised unions, yet persistent issues have left many frustrated.
He explained that Wheela was born from the idea of building a platform that genuinely works for everyone involved.
“Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms that focus on disruption, Wheela aims to collaborate with transport unions and other stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and smooth integration into the existing system.
“The platform plans to operate across all 36 states of Nigeria, extending beyond major urban centers to suburban and underserved communities.
“It will accommodate various transport categories, including cars, tricycles (keke), motorcycles, and trucks,” he said
Osadinizu noted that safety is a central feature of the platform, as drivers would undergo verification before approval, and both passengers and drivers can report suspicious activities through the app, reinforcing trust and accountability.
Zainab Muhammed, Head of Business Department, said the system was built to support drivers and protect passengers, with trust and innovation at its core.
She expressed confidence that the platform would help move communities forward.
Victor James, a Wheela ambassador, said the initiative responded directly to frustrations in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, particularly fare hikes and demands for extra payments on long-distance trips.
He described Wheela as a structured middleman designed to bring balance and affordability.
Speaking on behalf of drivers, Mr David Amune highlighted the financial relief the platform offered.
“Instead of losing 20 per cent to 30 per cent of each trip to commissions, drivers can subscribe for as low as N2,000 daily or N30,000 monthly and retain their full earnings,” he said.
Stakeholders believe this model could also lead to lower fares for passengers since drivers would no longer need to increase prices to cover commission deductions.(NAN)
