Parents juggle children and school bags, while office workers calculate whether to risk being late or squeeze into an overcrowded danfo.

For decades, this has been the rhythm of the city, movement shaped by compromise.

But a new chapter is unfolding.

Lagride, the government-backed e-taxi platform, is preparing to launch Lagride Omni, a mini-bus category designed specifically for families, groups, and everyday commuters.

With Lagride Omni mini-bus, Lagosians could soon leave behind the stress of fragmented trips and find in one vehicle the space, safety, and dignity they deserve.

A Platform Evolving with the City

From its inception, Lagride promised to be more than another ride-hailing app. It was envisioned as Nigeria’s most complete mobility ecosystem, a single platform offering Lagosians choices that match every budget, every occasion, and every need.

Today, opening the Lagride app reveals three distinct ride categories:

• Lagride EVs – electric vehicles symbolizing the city’s cleaner, quieter, sustainable future.
• Lagride Pro – brand-new cars with drivers trained in safety, service, and hospitality through the Lagride Academy.
• Lagride Legacy – affordable, reliable everyday rides from verified 2022+ owner-drivers.

Each option tells a story: eco-conscious travel, premium comfort, or trusted daily mobility. Omni is set to become the fourth story, one that addresses the gaps families and groups have faced for years.

Omni: One Ride, Many Solutions

Omni mini-buses will seat six passengers plus luggage, introducing possibilities Lagosians have long wished for:

• Party Ride: Friends attending a wedding or event can travel together, saving costs and enjoying the atmosphere.
• Last-Mile Commute: Colleagues share a ride directly from the bus stop to the office, cutting time and reducing congestion.
• Safe School Runs: Parents can book fixed, daily trips for their children, tracked in real time with certified Captains at the wheel.

By weaving affordability, convenience, and safety into one offering, Omni promises to change how groups move across Lagos.

Standing with Lagosians in Difficult Times

The city’s rainy season often brings traffic gridlock and disruption. In recognition of these challenges, Lagride has rolled out a 40% discount promotion from September 24 to October 13, 2025, available to eligible riders through the app’s Coupons section. It is a gesture of empathy, reminding Lagosians that innovation must walk hand-in-hand with responsibility.

Voices from Lagride

“Mobility is at the heart of Lagos life, and it is at the heart of society,” said Chief Diana Chen, Chairman, CIG Group and Lagride. “When people move safely, affordably, and with dignity, families flourish, businesses thrive, and communities feel stronger. Lagride is not just a transport platform, it is a social contract to move Lagos better.”

For Jubril Arogundade, acting MD of Lagride, the philosophy is about empowerment:

“Choice matters. Lagos is a city of different needs and different rhythms. That is why we now offer EVs, Pro, and Legacy, and soon Omni. Every step supports the governor’s mobility agenda, empowers drivers through training, and makes riders proud of their choice.”

Training, Standards, and Livelihoods

Beyond riders, Lagride is investing in those who drive its future. Captains under EV and Pro categories undergo extensive training at the Lagride Academy, in partnership with agencies like the Nigerian Police, FRSC, and LASTMA.

Modules cover not just safety and regulations, but also hospitality, helping drivers deliver world-class service and gain transferable skills.

The company is also opening doors of opportunity, actively recruiting 10,000 new drivers and partners through its Drive-to-Own and Drive-to-Earn schemes. For many Lagosians, this represents not just a job, but a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.

The Road Ahead

In a city where mobility is often a test of resilience, Lagride is writing a new story. From EVs to Legacy rides, from Pro to the soon-to-launch Omni mini-bus, the platform is piecing together the most comprehensive transport ecosystem Nigeria has ever seen.

And perhaps soon, when the rains return and commuters brace themselves for the daily struggle, a parent, a group of friends, or a cluster of colleagues will step into an Omni, close the door on the chaos outside, and ride together, with dignity, safety, and choice.

Download the app here | Become a driver by checking here.

The expansion underlines LagRide’s commitment to providing every resident and visitor in Lagos with a safe, reliable and affordable ride within minutes.

Chief Diana Chen, Chair of CIG Group, a diversified group with portfolio companies across transportation, energy, technology and consumer goods, explained the significance of this expansion: 

“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.”

*FILE PHOTO: Chief Diana Chen and a high flying graduate of the Lagride Academy

The Leasing Programme

At the heart of this announcement is a robust vehicle leasing programme designed to empower drivers and partners through affordable, transparent, and bank-supported financing. The scheme allows drivers to access brand-new CIG vehicles with quick bank approvals and competitive rates, giving them the opportunity to work with dignity and financial security.

The programme provides a clear pathway to ownership, enabling drivers to take full possession of their vehicles in the shortest possible time.

Repayments are structured flexibly, with weekly remittances aligned to actual kilometres driven, ensuring that repayments mirror usage and remain sustainable.

Most importantly, the leasing programme comes with full cover: maintenance, insurance, and operational support are integrated, ensuring that every driver can focus on service delivery without fear of unforeseen costs or disruptions.

Jubril Arogundade, acting managing director of LagRide Nigeria Limited, described the initiative as a continuation of LagRide’s founding promise: 

“From day one we have offered local solutions that meet world-class standards. The new leasing programme continues that promise by giving drivers a simple, transparent route to owning the cars they drive while improving service quality for riders.”

Safety and Rider Experience

Safety has always been the defining value of the LagRide brand. Every leased vehicle comes equipped with advanced safety features, including driver-facing cameras, panic buttons, and live diagnostic feeds connected directly to the LagRide command centres.

These measures ensure that riders enjoy maximum protection, while drivers are supported with real-time monitoring and assistance.

Beyond safety, the rider experience is anchored in comfort, reliability and trust. Vehicles are maintained to international standards, ensuring clean interiors, smooth rides, and professional presentation.

The Ember season, with its heightened demand from airport arrivals, concerts, weddings, and crossover services, will now be supported by thousands of new cars and trained drivers, giving Lagosians and visitors peace of mind during the busiest time of the year.

The LagRide Academy

Central to this expansion is the LagRide Academy, created to recruit, train and empower drivers who embody Lagos excellence. Every new driver undergoes intensive training that blends technical know-how with professional and personal development.

The Academy curriculum covers premium customer service, road safety protocols, first aid, and mastery of the LagRide app, as well as ongoing modules in financial literacy, electric vehicle maintenance, and updated traffic regulations. The Academy does more than prepare drivers for trips — it prepares them for careers, positioning them as ambassadors of the Lagos brand.

Graduates leave with a professional certificate, access to brand new vehicles and smartphones, and even health and life insurance support.

Monthly earnings range between ₦250,000 and ₦400,000 depending on performance, and top-performing drivers can qualify for accelerated vehicle ownership pathways in as little as six months.

Drivers who complete the programme earn a LagRide Pro badge in the rider app, signalling to customers that they are booking with one of the best-trained professionals on Lagos roads.

Joining the Programme

The process of joining LagRide is designed to be straightforward, transparent, and inclusive. Interested drivers and partners can begin by visiting the LagRide Driver Centre at Alausa, Ikeja, or by downloading the LagRide Partner app. Applicants are required to present a valid driver’s licence, a LASDRI card, and proof of address.

Those new to professional driving will complete either a two-day induction or the full five-day LagRide Academy programme before being assigned a vehicle. Partners who may not wish to drive themselves can also participate by leasing vehicles and engaging trained drivers from the Academy, creating investment opportunities for non-drivers while expanding the fleet available to Lagos residents.

The first wave of bank-financed cars will hit Lagos roads before the end of September, ensuring that visitors arriving for concerts, weddings, family events, and crossover services enjoy seamless mobility options well in advance of the December rush. With every new driver and partner onboarded, LagRide moves closer to its vision of building a city where safe, reliable and affordable transport is always a few minutes away.

Chief Diana Chen concluded with a message of empowerment: “This programme is not only about vehicles and finance. It is about dignity of work, pride of service, and the freedom for every Lagosian to move with confidence. We invite qualified drivers and partners to join us and be part of a mobility revolution written by Lagos, for Lagos.”