Ride-hailing company Bolt has rewarded some of its highest-performing and longest-serving drivers in Nigeria to strengthen driver engagement and encourage quality service across its platform.
The reward programme, which has already taken place in Lagos and Calabar, is part of a nationwide campaign that will also reach Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Benin and Ibadan in the coming weeks.
Bolt said a total of 50 drivers will be recognised across the participating cities.
At an appreciation event held in Lagos on Thursday, 16 drivers received household appliances and other gifts, including televisions, air conditioners, washing machines and deep freezers.
The recipients were selected from different award categories covering top-performing male and female drivers, long-serving drivers and active members of the company’s driver community.
Speaking at the event, Bolt Nigeria’s Media and Marketing Specialist, Ogechi Mbatu, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to recognising drivers as important partners in its business.
“This is about recognising them not just as drivers but as partners on our platform. We have different award categories, including top-performing male and female drivers, long-serving drivers, and members of our Facebook driver community. Our goal is to build more than a platform; we want to create a strong community,” she said.
Mbatu explained that winners were selected using performance data generated through the platform. The assessment considered factors such as completed valid trips and overall service quality.
According to her, the exercise is being implemented across cities where Bolt operates as part of an effort to reward drivers who consistently demonstrate professionalism, compliance and customer-focused service.
Bolt’s Community Manager for West Africa, David Ogbuka, said the company introduced the programme to keep drivers motivated while maintaining service standards on the platform.
“We are focused on keeping our drivers motivated. The reward programme is held twice annually, during the first half and at the end of the year. Earlier in May, we launched a campaign encouraging drivers to deliver quality service, and today we are celebrating the winners,” he said.
Also speaking on the campaign, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for West Africa, Teddy Appah-Dankyi, described drivers as central to the company’s operations.
“Our drivers are the backbone of the platform. Every day, they help people get to work, connect with opportunities, and move around their cities safely and conveniently. This campaign is our way of recognising and celebrating their hard work and dedication,” he said.
The company said drivers were chosen based on a combination of performance indicators, including activity levels, consistency, professionalism and overall contribution to the platform.
Some of the recipients expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that the rewards would provide practical support for them and their families.
Beyond the reward scheme, Bolt said it continues to invest in programmes aimed at improving the driver experience. These include access to discounted health insurance, safety training and regular engagement initiatives designed to address drivers’ concerns.
The company added that the campaign reflects its broader commitment to supporting drivers beyond daily earnings while strengthening the quality of service offered to riders.
Bolt has expanded steadily across Nigeria since launching in Lagos under the Taxify brand. The company now operates in several cities and remains one of the country’s leading ride-hailing platforms.
With competition growing in Nigeria’s mobility sector, operators are focusing more on driver welfare, service quality and community engagement as they seek to retain drivers and improve customer experience.
