1. Describe the problem:
I live in Nigeria. For 4 years now, since my university days, I've been dealing with the same pain: Uber and Bolt are prohibitively expensive for regular trips.
When I was a student, I constantly needed to get around — classes, meetings, personal errands. Uber or Bolt cost so much that it was simply unaffordable for a student. I couldn't justify it. Instead, I used motorcycle taxis (okada) — cheaper, but every ride was a gamble: drivers without helmets, no rules, constant accidents.
Now I'm a working professional. I have an income, but the situation hasn't changed. Getting to work and back takes a significant chunk of my budget if I use Uber or Bolt. Even with a job, spending that much on transport doesn't make sense. My friends and colleagues are in exactly the same situation.
Public transport (Danfo) isn't even an option for me. These yellow minibuses are packed to the point where people hang off the doors. Drivers drive like maniacs — sharp maneuvers, running red lights, constant accidents. Pickpockets are common, women often face harassment in the crowd. A trip that takes 30 minutes by car can take 2-3 hours in Danfo — waiting for the bus to fill up, endless traffic jams. For me, it's not an alternative — it's a step backward.
We're all essentially trapped between high cost, risking our lives, and wasting hours of our time.
When I was a student, I constantly needed to get around — classes, meetings, personal errands. Uber or Bolt cost so much that it was simply unaffordable for a student. I couldn't justify it. Instead, I used motorcycle taxis (okada) — cheaper, but every ride was a gamble: drivers without helmets, no rules, constant accidents.
Now I'm a working professional. I have an income, but the situation hasn't changed. Getting to work and back takes a significant chunk of my budget if I use Uber or Bolt. Even with a job, spending that much on transport doesn't make sense. My friends and colleagues are in exactly the same situation.
Public transport (Danfo) isn't even an option for me. These yellow minibuses are packed to the point where people hang off the doors. Drivers drive like maniacs — sharp maneuvers, running red lights, constant accidents. Pickpockets are common, women often face harassment in the crowd. A trip that takes 30 minutes by car can take 2-3 hours in Danfo — waiting for the bus to fill up, endless traffic jams. For me, it's not an alternative — it's a step backward.
We're all essentially trapped between high cost, risking our lives, and wasting hours of our time.
2. How often does the problem occur?
Every single day. Every trip around the city is a choice between:
This isn't a one-time thing — it's a constant background reality for millions of Nigerians.
- Paying $10-15 for Uber/Bolt (too expensive for regular trips, but sometimes necessary)
- Risking your life on a motorcycle taxi for $2-3
- Spending hours on overcrowded, unsafe Danfo buses where you might get robbed
This isn't a one-time thing — it's a constant background reality for millions of Nigerians.
3. What attempts have you made to solve the problem?
Uber/Bolt: I use them when I have no choice — late at night, urgent matters, important meetings. But every such ride leaves a bad taste: I know I'm overpaying by a lot. Over 4 years, I've spent thousands of dollars that I wouldn't have if a normal alternative existed.
Motorcycle taxis (Okada): This is the cheapest and fastest way to get around in Nigeria. You just flag down a bike on the street, agree on a price, and go. Sounds convenient, but it's actually Russian roulette:
After several friends got injured (one seriously, with fractures), I stopped taking the risk. Now I only use okada in extreme cases.
Public buses (Danfo): I tried them when I really had no money. It was a horrible experience:
Looking for carpooling apps: There are practically none in Nigeria. I searched — there are a couple of local apps, but:
Arranging rides with colleagues/friends: We tried coordinating trips manually on WhatsApp. It doesn't work:
Motorcycle taxis (Okada): This is the cheapest and fastest way to get around in Nigeria. You just flag down a bike on the street, agree on a price, and go. Sounds convenient, but it's actually Russian roulette:
- Drivers have no background checks — anyone can do it
- Helmets are often missing
- Traffic rules are completely ignored
- Fatal accidents are routine
- No insurance, no support — if something happens, you're on your own
After several friends got injured (one seriously, with fractures), I stopped taking the risk. Now I only use okada in extreme cases.
Public buses (Danfo): I tried them when I really had no money. It was a horrible experience:
- Buses are packed beyond belief — people sitting on top of each other
- You wait 30-40 minutes for the bus to fill up before it leaves
- Drivers drive like lunatics — because they pay daily rent for the vehicle and need to maximize trips
- Pickpockets work right in the bus, drivers look the other way
- Once, my phone was stolen. I never went back after that.
Looking for carpooling apps: There are practically none in Nigeria. I searched — there are a couple of local apps, but:
- They're either dead (no users)
- They have no driver verification system
- The interface is clunky
- No rating system, no guarantees
Arranging rides with colleagues/friends: We tried coordinating trips manually on WhatsApp. It doesn't work:
- People are late, no accountability
- Hard to sync schedules — everyone's different
- No system for splitting costs — constant arguments
- No ratings — you can't filter out unreliable people
4. How much are you willing to pay for the solution?
My friends and I are willing to pay $5–10 per ride for a service that offers:
Important: I'm not looking for a co-founder to build a startup. I simply don't have the time to do this myself. I want someone to solve my problem, and I'm ready to be a first user, actively test, and provide feedback.
- Safety: verified drivers, rating system, real-time support, ride history
- Affordability: 1.5–2x cheaper than Uber/Bolt
- Convenience: simple interface to find people with similar routes and schedules
Important: I'm not looking for a co-founder to build a startup. I simply don't have the time to do this myself. I want someone to solve my problem, and I'm ready to be a first user, actively test, and provide feedback.
5. Problem author:
The author of this problem has indicated that they are ready to provide feedback to the developers and want to receive 1% equity in the startup that will build a ready-made solution. You can contact the author directly via the contacts above.