As the economic crisis bites harder, Nigerians desperate to survive the crushing weight of inflation, soaring fuel prices, and rising unemployment are increasingly turning to the streets, using their luxury vehicles as taxis to earn quick cash. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA explores how these side hustles on wheels have become a lifeline to survive harsh daily realities

At about 4:21 pm on a Thursday, when Eunice Ajulo stepped out of an event centre on the Island, she anticipated the usual chaos that defines transportation in the city?yellow buses weaving through traffic, loud conductors shouting destinations, and impatient okada riders weaving dangerously between vehicles.

Instead, as the young lady stood just metres away from the Ikoyi under-bridge at Falomo, she watched sleek, luxury cars pull up briefly to pick up passengers before speeding off.

At first, she assumed they were private car services or perhaps generous Lagosians offering free rides. But the constant stream of vehicles pulling over, the casual fare negotiations, and the noticeable absence of regular commercial buses soon stirred her curiosity.

?I stood there for almost 40 minutes waiting for a danfo or keke, but none came. I began to wonder what was happening and eventually asked someone nearby,? she recalled.

?The man just laughed and said, ?Auntie, all those cars you dey see? Dem don turn to bus o. Dem dey carry people for money.? I was stunned,? Ajulo recounted.

Eventually, the woman in her mid-20s reluctantly accepted a ride from Ikoyi to Berger, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, in a Sport Utility Vehicle ? Honda Pilot.

A curious Ajulo opted to sit in the front with the driver and began asking a barrage of questions.

?The driver?s name was John,? she said. ?He looked like a clean-cut, confident university graduate in his early 30s. He studied Business Administration at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, and now works as a freelance marketer with a company in Ikoyi.

?He told me he picks up passengers on his way to and from work to cushion the cost of fuel. The fare we paid, he said, helps cover those expenses.?

Ajulo admitted the fare was higher than what she would typically pay for a danfo, but the comfort of a non-stop ride and working air conditioning made it worthwhile.

?It was such a smooth ride to Berger that I wouldn?t mind riding with him again,? she said. ?He dropped me off and made a U-turn under the bridge. From there, I boarded another bus to my final destination in Magboro.?

Sunday PUNCH learnt that John is part of a growing class now referred to as ?executive hustlers? ? white-collar professionals who moonlight as drivers, couriers, or delivery agents in a desperate bid to supplement their income.

Unlike traditional cab drivers, many of these part-time transporters are not affiliated with ride-hailing platforms like Bolt or Uber. Instead, they operate independently, strategically positioning themselves near busy junctions, bridges, and event centres?areas often underserved by public transport?thereby creating demand for private rides.

Luxury vehicles as survival kits

When Dominion Idonijie bought his used Toyota Corolla in 2015, it symbolised progress and a reward for years of hard work.

Ironically, that same car has now become his lifeline.

A trained technician and father of four, he once earned a modest income working an 8-to-5 job at a tech firm in Victoria Island. But as inflation soared and his salary remained stagnant, he found himself battling the harsh realities of Nigeria?s economy.

?Things went downhill fast. My rent was due, food prices doubled, and there were no other income streams. I was burning fuel daily just to get to work. I knew something had to change or I?d sink,? he said dejectedly.

That change came in the form of a side hustle?turning his car into a makeshift taxi.

?At first, I felt awkward picking people up. I kept wondering what others would think. But I had to ditch my pride?Nigeria?s situation has gone beyond public opinion. It?s about survival now,? he admitted.

Idonijie began carrying passengers during his daily commute to work.

?I pick people from Berger to the Island in the morning and make the same trip back in the evening. I only pick those heading in my direction, so it?s not stressful,? he explained.

?I charge N2,000 per person. With three passengers in the back and one in front, that?s between N8,000. On average, I make between N18,000 and N20,000 a day.?

Over 20 working days, that amounts to roughly N400,000 a month?money he said he used to forgo by offering free rides.

?This is the money I used to throw away when I was living like a big boy, giving people lifts out of goodwill,? he said with a chuckle.

?With how well this is going, I realised I could earn even more by operating on weekends. So, during rush hours, especially in the evenings when bus stops are crowded and commercial vehicles are scarce, I head out to pick up passengers. It?s tough, but it?s what?s keeping my family afloat.?

Idonijie said he charges N500 for trips from Magboro in Ogun State to Berger and the Secretariat bus stops.

He added that a trip to the 7Up bus stop costs N700, while Iyana Oworo goes for N1,000. From Iyana Oworo to Obalende or SMC, he charges between N400 and N500.

Still, the hustle comes at a cost.

?Maintenance is expensive. Fuel prices keep rising, and the roads are terrible. But despite the challenges, I have no regrets. Without this hustle, I honestly don?t know where I?d be. Ideally, no one should have to turn their personal car into a taxi just to feed their family, but that?s the hard truth of the situation. It?s far from ideal, but it?s necessary.?

When private vehicles turn commercial assets

Fuelled not by ambition, but by necessity, increasing numbers of white-collar professionals, dubbed ?executive hustlers?, now moonlight as informal drivers and logistics providers.

Unlike traditional taxi operators, they work independently, steering clear of ride-hailing platforms like Bolt or Uber and instead, pick up passengers at busy junctions and bus stops.

The trend underscores a grim national reality: soaring inflation, surging fuel costs, and dwindling job opportunities.

The removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria triggered a sharp surge in fuel prices, which in turn drove up the cost of transportation and essential goods. Inflation soared, causing living expenses to spike. In all of this, low-income households were hit the hardest.

A recent World Bank report underscored the severity of the crisis, noting that without wage adjustments or robust social support, many Nigerians now face daily economic hardship and declining living standards.

It is estimated that over 60 per cent of Nigerians are in financial distress, with unemployment and underemployment on the rise.

For many, the report observed, converting personal vehicles into commercial shuttles became a survival strategy.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that informal jobs now make up over 80 per cent of employment in Nigeria, with transport and logistics among the fastest-growing sectors. According to the NBS, headline inflation rose to 24.23 per cent in March 2025, up from 23.18 per cent in February.

While the Consumer Price Index climbed to 117.34, reflecting a monthly increase of 4.40 points.

A political economist at Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State, Dr Vincent Ezeme, said the surge in private cars turned commercial shuttles is a direct response to runaway inflation, rising fuel costs, and dwindling job opportunities. He noted that even middle-class professionals in Lagos are now rethinking how they earn.

?The removal of fuel subsidies, unreliable electricity, and soaring living costs have pushed many salaried workers to innovate out of necessity,? he said.

Ezeme observed that cars, once seen as symbols of status, are now lifelines. ?Until inflation is brought under control and sustainable jobs are created, more Nigerians will be pushed into the informal sector. For now, it?s one ride, one fare, one day at a time.?

Trapped in worsening economic crisis

In a related development, a Senior Executive Officer with a multinational firm on Lagos Island, Mr Basil Agwude, shared how Nigeria?s worsening economic crisis forced him into unexpected territory.

Once known for cruising through Lagos in his luxury car, windows up, air conditioning on, soft music playing, Agwude now ferries passengers to make ends meet and support his young family.

He recalled living comfortably on a decent salary until the economy took a downturn. After the removal of fuel subsidies, petrol prices soared, and his lifestyle took a hit.

?Before, I?d fill my tank with N14,800 or N15,000 without a second thought, until President Bola Tinubu removed the subsidy,? he said. ?Suddenly, I was spending over N150,000 a month on petrol. Then you start asking: How much is my salary??

He continued, ?That?s just fuel. I haven?t even talked about feeding, school fees, or other responsibilities. With bills piling up, I had no choice but to turn my car from a liability into a source of income. It?s a survival strategy, at least until things stabilise.?

Agwude now picks up passengers on his daily commute from Kilo in Surulere to Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island, where his office is located. Each morning and evening, he charges N1,000 per passenger.

?These days, a lot of us with cars are doing this, even senior staff,? he added. ?The practice has become more common, especially among middle-class professionals who still have jobs but are struggling to cope with the soaring cost of living. What started as a desperate fuel-saving measure has now evolved into a regular side hustle.?

Military personnel are not spared

At the Oshodi bus stop, a female naval officer in uniform was spotted in her 2011 Toyota Sienna, parked on the service lane with the engine running, waiting to pick up passengers heading to Bucknor and Isheri Osun.

The officer, who requested anonymity to avoid disciplinary action, said she charges N700 for trips to Bucknor and N800 to Isheri Osun.

?There?s always traffic on the road, and I often burn fuel just idling. So, picking up one or two passengers helps me replace the fuel,? she explained. ?Going to Isheri via Oke-Afa can be draining.?

Josephine Mba, a commuter who couldn?t board due to limited space, noted that the fare was cheaper than what commercial bus drivers charge. ?During rush hours, they demand as much as N1,000 or N900 for a trip that normally costs N700 or N800. Apart from the fare, you feel more comfortable in private cars?except for the greedy ones who squeeze in two passengers in the front seat, meant for one.?

Lifeline for working class

Also at Oshodi, Mr Friday Akpan, another private car owner, shared how he supplements his income. Akpan, who lives in Charity, Oshodi, and works with a construction company in Ajah, Lagos, said that despite his full-time job, his salary was no longer enough to cover monthly expenses.

?It doesn?t make sense to drive all the way to Ajah alone when I can carry a few passengers and earn something,? he explained. ?Instead of losing everything, I make a small amount by offering rides at cheaper rates.?

He charges between N1,500 and N1,800 for trips from Oshodi (after Charity) to Lekki-Ajah. ?If you go to the official park, they charge N2,000 during off-peak hours, sometimes even more. From Ajah to Oworo, it?s N2,500,? he added.

For Akpan, the extra income helps support his family. ?Even N10,000 helps. If I use the money I make here for fuel, the money I would have spent on fuel can go toward something else.?

He continued, ?The truth is, if you depend only on your salary in this country, life will be extremely difficult. Even with the N70,000 minimum wage, what can that buy? Everything is expensive. A bag of rice is still over N90,000, school fees are outrageous, and hospital bills? Don?t even get me started. This is a full-time struggle.?

Akpan concluded, ?Using my car to carry passengers has been a lifesaver. I would advise other car owners to do the same if they can. Instead of driving long distances alone, let the vehicle generate some income.?

Bankers not spared

Abiodun Balogun, a banker based in Satellite Town, Lagos, is another professional forced by the tough economic climate to seek alternative means of survival. To beat the traffic and arrive at work on time, he leaves home as early as 5:30 a.m., ferrying passengers along the way to supplement his dwindling income.

Balogun shared that he now engages in structured ride-sharing, transporting a consistent group of commuters who each pay N1,500 per trip. He explained that the arrangement is mutually beneficial and well-organised.

?I have regular passengers who ride with me every day. We coordinate everything with a phone call each morning, and anyone who won?t be joining lets me know ahead of time,? he said. ?We even have a WhatsApp group for easier communication. It?s more secure and keeps everything streamlined.?

All of his passengers, he noted, work on the Marina axis of Lagos Island and have their own vehicles but prefer to leave them at home to reduce costs and stress. Balogun added that the fees he collects mainly help offset the cost of fuelling his car in an economy where petrol prices are unforgiving.

?We commute together in the morning and return together in the evening. I pick them up from their designated bus stops, and I?m always punctual. While I earn a bit from this, it also offers them comfort and shields them from the stress of jostling for public transport at crowded stops,? he said.

For Balogun, the arrangement is strictly limited to his work route. ?Of course, their safety is guaranteed. I don?t use the car for anything else. Outside work hours, I?m not interested. I simply don?t have the time or energy for the extra stress,? he said.

Symptom, not solution

While the rise of private cars turned taxis may seem innovative, Ezeme, the political economist, warned that it reflects a deeper systemic failure.

?This isn?t entrepreneurship in the real sense?it?s economic desperation. When professionals abandon their careers to hustle part-time on the roads, it says a lot about the state of the economy. If SUV owners are grinding like this, imagine the plight of those without any vehicle at all,? he said.

Present economic projection disheartening

A Political Economist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Dr Ifeanyi Anadozie, noted that it is disheartening that many Nigerians can?t afford two square meals a day, as the cost of living has risen astronomically.

?The cost of other goods and services, too, has become extremely high over the past two years. Inflation is at its worst, affecting everyone, while salary earners are the worst hit,? he said.

Anadozie noted that recent warnings by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund that more Nigerians would fall below the acceptable poverty line by 2027 is deeply troubling, adding that the projections offer no sign of hope.

World Bank projections worrisome

A Development Economist, Dr Lawrence Nwaodu, said projections from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund underscore serious economic concerns for Nigeria.

According to him, ?The poverty report for the country highlights a troubling trend, indicating that poverty in resource-rich and fragile countries such as Nigeria is expected to rise by 3.6 percentage points between 2022 and 2027?making it the only country group in sub-Saharan Africa facing such an increase.?

He stressed that this projection is particularly alarming, given Nigeria?s status as one of Africa?s largest economies, noting that the country?s inflation figures are equally concerning.

Nwaodu said, ?Regarding inflation, the IMF forecasts that Nigeria?s inflation will average 26.5 per cent in 2025 and spike to 37 per cent in 2026, driven by structural inefficiencies, weak supply response, and exchange rate volatility.

?In contrast, the World Bank projects that headline inflation will ease to 22.1 per cent in 2025 and further moderate to 15.9 per cent by 2027.

?A prediction that more and more Nigerians will slip below the poverty line should be a serious concern for any responsible government.? (Sunday PUNCH)

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