Okada Operation as a Vibrant Local Economic Activity in Lagos as against being an Informal Activity

Abstract

According to Oxford Dictionary meaning; Okada is a motorcycle serving as a taxi, with passengers sitting behind the driver. The quest for survival economically and socially has driven many Nigerians into riding of commercial motorcycle popularly known as ‘Okada’ business.This is justifiable though. Among the educated, millions of university graduates are unable to access formal sector jobs. In Nigeria, for example, there are situations where graduates remain unemployed for up to ten years and resort to menial jobs for survival (Lawanson, 2022). It is so surprising that reasonable number of Lagos population both skilled or unskilled, are depending on Okada business as a means of livelihood. However, Okada means of transportation is seen as an anomaly by the state authority in Lagos cities due to some of its irregular activities. In the context of urban informality, Okada operation is prone to accident and other criminal activities accustomed. However, the Okada operation in major Nigerian urban cities was once welcomed, regulated, supported and even licensed by the same government who were now regarding it as an unacceptable informal economic activities. The debate of this paper is focused on the narrative of Okada operation in Lagos cities as a vibrant means of easing the economic challenges of this urban city;to examine its function for keeping the wheel of business going for most important activities and to recommend a better way for its operation instead of out-rightly banning it. Through comprehensive data collection methods, this paper shall examine how the safety of Okada operators and their users will be a major concern of stakeholders and proffer better ways to guide against the negative effects that is hampering this practice.

References

Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012

Lawanson, T. (2022). Conceptualising the Liveable African city. https://www.urbanet.info/liveable-city-africa/

Oni, S., Fashina, O., & Olagunju, Y. K. (2011). The motorcycle crash characteristics in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management and Safety, 2(1), 1–15.