Brands/Products
Two Wheels, One City: my Life as a Glovo Rider in Abuja
The sun has only just risen when my phone’s alarm pierces the silence of my room in Abuja. It’s 7:00 a.m., the first of six alarms I’ve set: 7:10, 7:30, 8:00, 8:10, 8:30, to ensure I don’t sleep through my morning. I’m the kind of person who could sleep for 24 hours straight, especially when nestling in the quiet of my own space. But the rhythm of my life as a Glovo delivery rider demands otherwise. Time is money in this job, and time waits for no one. So I roll out of bed, shake off the grogginess, and prepare to claim my slot for the day: a 13-hour stretch from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which I’ll drive through Abuja’s streets, delivering food and parcels to customers who place orders on the Glovo app.
My name is Christian Ogbu, and I’m a Lagosian by birth, though Abuja has been my home since late 2020. I spent my first two decades in Lagos. Like any man born to a low-income family, I had to quickly try my hand at informal trade. As an Igbo man, I took up an apprenticeship in a pharmacy. When that didn’t work out after four or five years, I returned to my father’s village in Nsukka, Enugu, where I hoped to recalibrate and find opportunities to settle. But that was short-lived. I’m not a village boy; I’m wired for movement, for the bustle of a city. So, towards the end of 2020, I left for Anambra State, where I chased work that never materialised. I didn’t want to return to Lagos, where I would have to rely on my mum. Instead, I left Anambra for Abuja, where an uncle offered me a place to stay. It was a chance to start over, to find my own “greener pasture”, as I told myself.
Abuja was unkind at first. I took a job as a security guard, arranged by my uncle, but the pay was meagre: hand-to-mouth, barely enough to keep me afloat. Frustration gnawed at me. I wasn’t raised to live in someone else’s shadow, least of all my mother’s, so I refused to return to Lagos. Instead, I struck out on my own, submitting CVs to companies, hoping for something better. My uncle’s refusal to support my job search, denying me his signature and his ID, left me feeling stranded. I was sleeping in someone’s house, but I had no one to lean on. I often took to the streets looking tattered and hungry in search of a job. That’s when I stumbled into dispatch work.
It was a chance encounter with a deliveryman that changed everything. I was hungry, looking rough, but too proud to beg for food. “I just want to work like you,” I told him. He took me to a restaurant called Ants in Mama, which, like many popular restaurants that were adjusting to pandemic restrictions, ran an in-house delivery fleet where they purchased motorcycles and placed drivers on salaries. This was where I got my first taste of food delivery. I didn’t know Abuja then, so I relied on Google Maps to navigate, my phone guiding me through unfamiliar streets. That first job was a trial by fire. The roads were unforgiving, especially where untarred paths and potholes tested my resolve. One day, I spilled a drink in my delivery box, and while rushing to replace it, I crashed into a parked motorcycle. The accident cost me my pay; the company used it to repair the bike. I was sad, but I didn’t give up.
Another courier took pity on me, leading me to somewhere I was hired again. This time, I used the work to learn Abuja’s streets. I’m quick to pick up patterns, a skill honed in Lagos, where I mastered shortcuts that others overlooked. Within months, I knew Abuja like the back of my hand. I started applying to logistics companies and landed a job with a franchise under Speedaf. In my first month, I shattered their delivery record, completing 50 to 60 orders a day when the highest before me was 20. My hard work earned me respect, even if it came with loose ends. There were moments of temptation: demanding extra cash from customers, a practice I later learned was common among delivery riders. When a customer recorded me and reported it, I faced suspension, but my manager, recognising my potential, fought to keep me.
Then I heard about Glovo. It was 2022, and the platform was different: riders worked independently, not under franchises. This means that their earnings were not capped to a monthly salary; instead, one could earn as much as they worked. I scraped together my savings, bought my own motorcycle, and signed up. A mentor told me, “Focus on this work, and you’ll see your earnings.” So I did. I left the other side hustles behind. Glovo requires that drivers book slots to confirm they are available for delivery. If a driver booked a slot, he had to be committed to it. Punctuality became my creed. If I booked a slot, I was there, no excuses. Even when thieves broke into my house, stealing my phone, which was my most important work tool, and money, I didn’t quit. I worked my way back, bought new gear, and kept going.
From scraping by to earning almost a million monthly as a Glovo rider
Glovo’s structure suited me. Unlike franchises, where you’re bound by rigid protocols, Glovo gave me freedom. I could reject deliveries to unsafe areas, like parts of Jahi or Kuje, where rough roads or security risks made riding perilous. Franchises didn’t care about rider safety. If a customer ordered to a dangerous spot, you went or face penalties. I once narrowly escaped a pit while being chased by dogs at night. With Glovo, I could say no, cancel the order, and move on. This autonomy made all the difference. I knew Abuja’s boundaries: where Glovo operated, where it didn’t, and I thrived within them. The app’s clear addresses meant I rarely needed Google Maps; I’d glance at the location, pocket my phone, and ride.
My consistency paid off. Glovo set daily targets: 25 to 30 deliveries to earn a “quest” bonus, and I hit them religiously. Other platforms, like Chowdeck or Mano, cap their targets at 10 to 15 orders a day, I think, but Glovo pushed me. It wasn’t just about the money, though I earn between ₦800,000 and ₦900,000 a month, more than most salaried jobs. After expenses, ₦36,000 for fuel, ₦5,000 for oil changes every seven days, and about ₦7,000 daily for food, I earn enough to live well. But the real reward is the peace of mind, the sense of purpose. Glovo’s challenges became my own; if I fell short of 25 deliveries, it felt like failure. The next day, I’d push harder, determined to meet the mark.
The work is gruelling: 13 hours on the road, six days a week. I take Saturdays off now, a lesson learned after my eyes started twitching from stress and too much caffeine last year. I cut out energy drinks, relying on my own stamina and the occasional biscuit or mineral water to keep me going. Breakfast is a must, but lunch is a luxury; I might not eat until I’m home, late at night, with takeaway in hand. Abuja’s cold nights demand a jumper, something Glovo doesn’t provide, so I layer up to stay warm.
The job has its highs and lows. Customers shape the experience. Some are demanding, insisting I deliver to their doorstep in estates where bikes aren’t allowed, leaving my motorcycle vulnerable to theft or tampering. Others are a joy, especially when they are foreigners, as they are often more polite and appreciative than locals. For example, foreigners who live at high-end hotels, which do not allow couriers to drive in, are often ready to meet me at the gate. “White customers,” as I call them, often stand out for their courtesy, waiting at the gate, thanking me for my effort. Nigerian customers can be hit or miss: some warm, others dismissive, a few outright rude. I once climbed to the fifth floor to deliver to a customer in a wheelchair, moved by their courteous note on the app. The word ‘please’ seems so inconsequential, but it means a lot and can influence how we respond to additional requests of customers. Respect, I’ve learned, is reciprocal. When customers treat me with dignity, I go the extra mile.
Then there are the surveys Glovo sends out, asking about our satisfaction or experiences. They’re alien to many riders, unaccustomed to forms or feedback. But I use them to learn, sometimes Googling terms or asking AI for clarity. These small moments of education, interacting with customers, navigating the app, and engaging with the world, make the job more than just deliveries. It’s exposure, a window into lives I’d never otherwise encounter.
In June 2025, Glovo recognised my efforts. At their summit in Lagos, I was awarded for delivering over 14,000 orders since joining in 2022. They called me a “punctuality champion,” a nod to my unwavering commitment to my slots. It has been a great relationship so far. I do have some crucial improvements, particularly regarding deliveries to estates and hotels where motorcycles are restricted. It would be great if the company implements a clear policy or in-app note for customers in these areas, mandating a mutual understanding with riders for doorstep deliveries. This change would not only address rider safety concerns—reducing the risk of theft from parked bikes or food tampering—but also ensure riders aren’t unfairly blamed for issues outside their control, fostering a more respectful and efficient delivery experience for everyone.
This job has been transformative, but I do believe it is still a means to an end. In five years, I don’t see myself still working as an app-based courier. I want an adventure: maybe a business. I want to settle down, marry, and build something of my own. God has blessed me through this gig work, and I believe He’ll keep opening doors.
For now, though, I’m content. Abuja is in my hands, its streets etched into my memory. And as long as I’m on my bike using Glovo to connect to customers, I’m not just delivering food; I’m delivering myself to a future I’m still building.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Redtech, a technology company backed by Heirs Holdings, has been named in the Financial Times (FT) Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2026 list.
The Tony Elumelu-backed startup ranked 32nd out of 130 high-growth companies and also secured a position among Africa’s top 15 fastest-growing fintech companies in its debut appearance on the annual FT/Statista ranking.
Produced by the FT in research partnership with Statista, the ranking identifies Africa’s fastest-growing companies based on compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in revenue between 2021 and 2024. Companies also had to meet additional criteria, including minimum revenue thresholds, independence and primarily organic growth. Redtech’s inclusion provides independent validation of its growth as an African payment infrastructure company.
The recognition comes as Redtech’s flagship platform, RedPay, continues to scale across physical and digital payment channels. Through RedPay, the company enables businesses to collect, process, confirm, reconcile, disburse, and manage funds through secure, scalable technology built for African commerce.
Last week, the company announced a rare fintech-bank-telco alliance with MTN’s mobile fintech unit and UBA, to expand cardless payment access for consumers and merchants across Nigeria.
Speaking on the development, Mr Elumelu, the Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, said, “Africa’s next growth era will be powered by entrepreneurs, enterprises, and the infrastructure that enables them to succeed. Redtech’s recognition among Africa’s fastest-growing companies demonstrates what is possible when we invest in solutions built for Africa’s realities. Through RedPay, Redtech is helping merchants, fintechs, and financial institutions transact with greater speed, security, intelligence, and control. This is Africapitalism in action: building profitable, sustainable businesses that create prosperity across Africa.”
The numbers have also backed up Redtech’s growth. This is visible across four strategic areas, including a boost in transaction as the company processed $27 billion (N37.2 trillion) to date, more than three times the over $8.9 billion (N12 trillion) processed by the end of 2024; it has deployed 55,000 RedPay POS terminals within 16 months across merchant locations in Nigeria, supporting payment acceptance across sectors including hospitality, energy, banking, fintech, retail, utilities, and enterprise services; while its infrastructure supports payments in five UEMOA countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal.
Redtech operates with key regulatory approvals, including licences from the Central Bank of Nigeria as a Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP), Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP), and Super Agent, enabling the company to provide POS, payment gateway, and agency banking services. The company also holds relevant Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) authorisation for communications-enabled value-added services.
As part of its growth roadmap, Redtech is working to expand its payment infrastructure capabilities across African markets, with a long-term ambition to support merchant collections and financial technology services in 29 African countries within the next year.
Adding his input, Mr Emmanuel Ojo, CEO of Redtech, said: “Redtech’s inclusion in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies ranking recognises the infrastructure we are building and the African businesses that rely on it every day. At Redtech, growth is not only about transaction value or market reach; it is tied to a belief that when African businesses have payment systems they can trust, they are better placed to trade, serve customers and expand with confidence.
“That is the Heirs Holdings Africapitalism philosophy in practice – private-sector execution building the rails for African prosperity. Our focus is on strengthening the infrastructure that allows businesses across the continent to collect, pay, and grow.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at closing regulatory gaps and strengthening enforcement against unsafe products and unfair market practices.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on Wednesday, is expected to deepen collaboration between both agencies in areas such as product safety, consumer protection, and enforcement of standards.
The deal also introduced a structured system for information exchange between both regulators, aimed at eliminating delays that often hinder investigations and enforcement.
Speaking at the event held at the commission’s corporate headquarters, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said the pact marks a deliberate step towards coordinated regulation in Nigeria’s consumer market.
He said, “This event marks a deliberate step towards strengthening collaboration in the service of Nigerian consumers, particularly in areas where product safety and consumer protection overlap and require coordinated action.
“The mandates of the FCCPC and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, are clearly set out in law, although their functions increasingly overlap in practice.”
Mr Bello explained that while both agencies have distinct legal mandates, their responsibilities increasingly intersect in practice, especially in dealing with substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and misleading product claims.
According to him, “FCCPC focuses on protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or exploitative market behaviour. It also promotes competition, investigates complaints, and enforces remedies where consumer welfare has been undermined. NAFDAC’s responsibilities are more product-specific.
“It regulates the manufacture, importation, distribution, advertisement, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water. Its central concern is safety and quality, ensuring that regulated products meet required standards both before and after they enter the market.”
Mr Bello acknowledged that their regulatory functions increasingly overlap in practice, particularly in areas affecting both product safety and consumer rights.
He noted that issues such as misleading product claims, substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and deceptive advertising often cut across the mandates of both agencies, requiring coordinated intervention.
He further explained that a harmful product in the market is not only a public health concern under NAFDAC’s jurisdiction, but also a consumer protection issue that falls within the enforcement scope of the FCCPC.
Similarly, cases involving false or misleading advertising of regulated products typically demand joint action from both institutions.
Against this backdrop, the agencies said the newly signed MoU provides a structured framework to address these overlaps, enabling more effective collaboration, clearer responsibilities, and improved regulatory outcomes.
The FCCPC boss stated, “In reality, the work of both agencies often converges. Issues such as misleading product claims, substandard goods, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and deceptive advertising raise questions that fall within both product safety and consumer protection. For instance, a harmful product that reaches the market is not only a public health concern under NAFDAC’s remit, but also a consumer protection issue for FCCPC.
“The same applies to false advertising of regulated products, which typically requires input from both bodies. Given this overlap, a formal Memorandum of Understanding provides a practical basis for cooperation. The MoU being executed today, therefore, establishes a clearer and more workable framework for collaboration between the two institutions.”
He added that the new framework would eliminate confusion for consumers and improve response time to complaints.
“Rather than leaving consumers to decide which agency to approach, complaints can now be received and reviewed in one place, and then directed through clearly defined channels. This will make the system more efficient and more responsive,” Mr Bello said.
The FCCPC boss also disclosed that the agreement provides for data sharing, joint investigations, and coordinated enforcement actions, as well as capacity building through training and technical collaboration.
He stressed that the ultimate goal is to build trust in the market.
“Effective regulation is not just about enforcement. It builds confidence. When consumers trust that products are safe and their rights are protected, markets function more efficiently,” he added.
In a stern warning to violators, Mr Bello said the collaboration would strengthen oversight and deter non-compliance.
“This will send shivers down the spine of those who are mischievous in our society, those who try to circumvent the rules. The message is clear: enforcement will be stronger and more coordinated,” he said.
On her part, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, described the agreement as critical to protecting Nigerians from harmful products and ensuring that consumer rights are upheld.
She said the partnership goes beyond documentation and must translate into action.
“This MoU is extremely important for the nation. But beyond the document, what matters is action. We do not need theory when it comes to consumer protection; we need results,” she said.
Mrs Adeyeye recounted instances where FCCPC responded swiftly to complaints she personally raised as a consumer, leading to immediate corrective actions by erring businesses.
“The two times that I complained, he responded almost immediately, and the enterprise made amends. That is the way it is supposed to be. That is the kind of leadership we need,” she said.
She emphasised that while NAFDAC ensures product safety and quality, FCCPC plays a critical role in protecting the rights of consumers who use those products.
“NAFDAC is about the safety and efficacy of products, but it is people who use those products. That is where FCCPC comes in. Consumers have the right to complain, and we must ensure those complaints lead to action,” she added.
The NAFDAC boss further noted that the collaboration would strengthen enforcement tools, including sanctions against violators, while enhancing public awareness through coordinated communication.
She said, “NAFDAC has the mandate to act against violators, FCCPC will fight for the consumer, and together we will ensure that Nigerians are protected. For the people who are watching us. Because this will be televised, just know that you are on our minds.
“In terms of product quality, safety and efficacy. In terms of your rights as a consumer to complain. We are watching your back.”
The MoU is expected to streamline complaint handling, improve regulatory coordination, and ensure faster resolution of consumer issues, while also creating a more predictable compliance environment for businesses.
The move comes at a time when Nigeria is battling the proliferation of substandard products, fake drugs, and deceptive advertising, all of which have continued to undermine consumer confidence and public health.
With both agencies now working under a unified framework, stakeholders say the success of the agreement will depend on sustained implementation and consistent enforcement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Two divisions of the Federal High Court have issued interim injunctions restoring airtime lending services and restraining the enforcement of the contentious regulations introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
FCCPC introduced the controversial Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations in 2025, prompting legal actions by telecom firms.
The rulings, delivered in Lagos and Abuja, restored the data and airtime loan services, relied upon by millions of Nigerians.
In Lagos, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, on April 15, 2026, granted four interim injunctions in suit marked FHC/L/CS/760/2026, filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPA) against FCCPC.
The court restrained the commission, its officers and agents from enforcing the DEON Regulations, including several key provisions of the framework.
It further barred the FCCPC from interfering with the operations of WASPA members, imposing sanctions or fines for alleged non-compliance, or issuing directives connected to the enforcement of the regulations and adjourned to April 17, 2026, for further hearing.
Relatedly, the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 24, 2026, granted an interim order in suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026 following an ex parte application by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited.
The court restrained both telecom operators, their officers and agents from suspending, restricting or otherwise interfering with Nairtime Nigeria Limited’s access to their platforms, including short codes, Short Message Service (SMS), and Unstructured Supplementary Service (USSD).
The order applies for the duration of Nairtime’s valid licence issued by NCC and prevents the operators from relying on the FCCPC regulations as a basis for any disruption.
The applicants had argued that the planned suspension of services was based on a directive linked to the DEON Regulations, despite their compliance with contractual obligations and the absence of any established breach or required notice.
The court found sufficient grounds to grant interim relief pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Taken together, the two rulings effectively place the enforcement of the DEON Regulations on hold, creating a temporary legal framework that allows airtime lending and related services to continue.
The FCCPC is restrained from acting against VAS providers, while telecom operators are prevented from using the regulations to deny licensed operators access to their networks.
The DEON Regulations, introduced by the FCCPC in July 2025, were designed to extend regulatory oversight to unsecured digital lending, including airtime and data credit services.
However, the move triggered strong opposition from industry stakeholders, particularly the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), which argued that the regulations encroached on the NCC’s statutory mandate, created overlapping compliance obligations, and conflicted with an existing memorandum of understanding between the regulators.
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