Outrage as Chowdeck CEO says riders make at least ₦100,000 weekly, some drivers earn more than doctors

• Chowdeck CEO Femi Aluko says the average rider makes at least ₦100,000 every week.

• He explained how deliveries, distance and working hours affect what riders earn.

• The claim has sparked debate online, with some Nigerians questioning how much riders actually take home after expenses.

Riding around Lagos to deliver food may seem like a simple hustle, but Chowdeck CEO Femi Aluko says the job can bring in considerably more than many people might expect.

In a Channels Television interview, Aluko said the average Chowdeck rider makes at least ₦100,000 a week, while the best-performing riders can earn considerably more. That would amount to about ₦400,000 over four weeks, but it is not a fixed salary or guaranteed monthly income.

According to Aluko, earnings depend largely on the number of deliveries a rider completes and the distance covered. He said riders could work for about 10 hours a day and complete around 10 to 15 deliveries, with more deliveries and longer distances potentially increasing their earnings.

The claim is not entirely out of line with accounts from riders. Recent reporting has found riders taking home roughly ₦80,000 to ₦120,000 a week, while some high performers have earned considerably more during particularly busy periods.

But those figures should be viewed as gross earnings rather than a guaranteed take-home salary. Aluko also acknowledged that riders have costs to deal with, including bicycle maintenance, even though maintaining a bicycle is cheaper than maintaining a power bike. 

During the interview, the presenter mentioned a previous report suggesting that ride-hailing drivers could earn more than doctors.

Aluko agreed that this could happen, although he noted that the work also comes with additional costs.

The money comes with a demanding work environment. Spending hours cycling or riding through Lagos means dealing with traffic, bad weather, impatient motorists and the possibility of crashes or injuries.

A 2025 report on Lagos delivery riders described workers battling rain and heavy traffic while chasing orders and bonuses.

Chowdeck has since introduced a personal accident insurance scheme for more than 20,000 active riders through MyCoverGenius.

The cover includes accidental medical expenses and temporary disability support, including compensation for riders who are temporarily unable to work because of an accident.

Aluko also said Chowdeck attracts students who attend classes during the day and make deliveries in the evening.

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According to him, some students use the income to pay their school fees and handle other expenses.

Aluko's comments have sparked plenty of debate online, with some Nigerians questioning whether the figure reflects what the average rider actually takes home after expenses.

The debate intensified after Trending Explained shared screenshots on X that it said showed a Chowdeck rider's transaction history. The figures appeared to show the rider making an average of about ₦48,000 daily and more than ₦340,000 in a week.

The post also claimed the rider had used the income to fund his education, start a business, buy land and begin building a house.

However, there is no name attached to the screenshots, and the post does not explain how they were obtained or identify the period covered. The rider's identity and the authenticity of the transaction history could therefore not be independently verified.

Web developer Richard U. (@iamrichygold) challenged Aluko's claim, saying he had met Chowdeck riders who told him they sometimes take private delivery jobs outside the app. He questioned whether the working conditions riders face on the road are consistent with an average weekly income of ₦100,000.

Another X user, Sir Beebo (@sirbeebowears), raised concerns about the costs riders may face, alleging that riders can have payments deducted when customers complain or when food is damaged or rejected.

He also compared Chowdeck's rider equipment and support with what he said riders receive from Glovo. These claims have not been independently verified.

Seyi (@seyi_ag), meanwhile, asked Chowdeck riders online to share what they actually make after expenses, questioning whether the figures being discussed reflect their real-life income.

So while the viral screenshots suggest that some riders may earn considerably more than the ₦100,000 weekly figure mentioned by Aluko, they cannot, on their own, establish what the average Chowdeck rider earns.