Travel/Tourism
5 Things Not To Do To Lagos Taxi Driver
By Nkem Ndem
Lagos Taxi cab drivers are huge lifesavers for commuters in the city, especially when the commuters are first-time visitors, who do not have the muscle required to navigate Lagos city via public transport systems.
With the constant traffic and bustling around the city, however, the job of the taxi driver can be quite arduous and back-breaking. Considering the nature of their jobs, there are certain things they have learned to overlook…however, there are also something that they cannot just condone from passengers.
Looking to patronize a Lagos taxi driver and curious to know these things they don’t condone? Read on to discover Jumia Travel’s tips on 5 things not to do to a Lagos taxi driver.
Criticize the appearance of his vehicle
No matter what you do, refrain from making negative comments as regards the appearance or functionality of the driver’s vehicle while you are in it. Most of the Lagos taxis are driven by men who pride themselves in being experts when it comes to handling vehicles, and so, criticizing their cabs is usually seen as a personal insult. Also, pointing to a lack in the hygiene of its interiors is a no-no. Some of the drivers can go as far throwing a dramatic feat or even ask you to get down from their vehicles. To avoid this, keep your opinions to yourself unless you are quite certain your life is in danger. Also, if you cannot stand it, to not get in the cab get down while you can.
Ignore their instructions regarding the display of PDA in the back of the cab.
Sometimes emotions can be overwhelming and passengers impatiently express them. This is very common in Lagos, especially at night when most passengers have a bit alcohol in the mix from night outs and parties. While some taxi drivers in other parts of the country, hearing and seeing everything, stay mute. Lagos taxi drivers rarely condone it. The nice ones will nag you with advice until you get your destination, killing the mood anyways, while others could ask you to get off, publicly shaming you if possible. It is very easy to avoid this, all you need to do is: keep your hands to yourselves and exercise some control.
Give the wrong or incomplete address
This is a huge trap most people fall into. If you are going to enter a Lagos taxi driver’s vehicle, be very particular when listing the address of your destination. Give all the details. Most Lagos drivers are not lenient, especially when your destination turns out to be a bit further than what was listed on them at the initial stance. These drivers will kick up a fuss and insist that you increase the fare. Worse is if you do not agree on a fare before you enter the cab, chances are you will be milked dry. Lagos taxis do not run on meters and fares are entirely subject to the driver’s discretion. If you must get a taxi, ensure you give the exact details, if possible, including the exact route you want the driver to take. Also, conclude on a fare before getting on.
Treat the driver like your servant
Most taxi cab drivers in modern times are not very particular about your attitude to them, they tend to detach themselves from your situation, as long as you pay whatever fare is charged and you do not actively cause him or his car harm. However, most taxi drivers in Lagos tend to take an exception to passengers with a bad attitude. They tend to have certain expectations such as; expecting salutation, respectful gestures and voice tone and more. Performing actions that suggest that you disregard or disrespect them creates a charged atmosphere, making it hard to communicate with the driver. Bottom line: while you are in the cab, your life is literally in the hand of the driver, it shouldn’t hurt to stay polite.
You ask them to break the law
Thanks to the traffic situation in Lagos, most people are always looking for ways to avert the congestion, and in doing so, they tend to break certain traffic rules. They drive on one-ways, disregard traffic light and drive on wrong ways. These soft traffic rules are frequently broken in Lagos, especially during rush hours or at night when most of the LASMA officials have close for the day. While most cab drivers on the island even take the initiative to commit these soft felonies, cab drivers on the mainland hardly engage in such dalliance. They take pride in understanding the traffic rules and they also understand the penalties attached. They, therefore, get really aggravated when passengers ask them to break any these rules, no matter how negligible.
Nkem Ndem is a PR Associate at Jumia Travel.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
