Nigerians react to Okada, Keke Napep 'ban' in Lagos

Goodness Adaoyichie 12:17 - 28 January 2020

Nigerians react to Lagos govt ban on okada, Keke Napep [Twitter]

The restriction notice issued to commercial motorcycle (popularly known as Okada) operators by the Lagos State Government has got most Nigerians talking.

On Monday, January 27, 2020, the Lagos State Government announced a ban on the activities of commercial motorcycles and tricycles (Keke Napep) in some Local Government Areas like Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikeja effective from February 1, 2020.

This also affects Gokada, Oride and other ride hailing companies.

UPDATE: Lagos State Government has also banned Commercial Motorcycles (Okada) and Keke on various bridges and highways:

HIGHWAYS:
1. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
2. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
3. Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway#ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/sle6FfXmpb
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) January 27, 2020

While some Nigerians have hailed the Babajide Sanwo-olu led government for the ban on commercial motorcycles, others have described the move as poorly thought out considering the fact that the current administration has done very little to address the city's decade-long traffic congestion problem.

Here are some reactions from Nigerians on Twitter:

This sudden blanket ban on Opay, Gokada, Okada & Keke Marwa in several LGs in Lagos by the state Govt is bad for all Lagosians

Policy summersaults have always been a huge problem that scares off foreign investors from Nigeria, while at the same time destroying local ones
— The OBIdient Seeker (@The_Seeker76) January 27, 2020

(Lagos)

Before Okada & Keke ban: Bro, I still dey mainland, I'll take OPay or GoKada and meet you on the Island in 2 to 3 hours

After Keke and Okada ban: I just dey board bus, I'll meet you on the Island in 2 to 3 walking days
— Betway Nigeria (@BetwayNigeria) January 27, 2020

A lot Lagosians depend on okada and keke to get to their destinations,Except Lagos state Government has put in place measures to commute Lagosians that they have not told Us about. Also,It would hit a lot families hard(bread winner).Let’s watch and see their alternative plans.
— Timi Dakolo (@timidakolo) January 27, 2020

All of you screaming people are ripped of their jobs as okada riders in Lagos, lemme ask you, why haven't you advise that your jobless brother, uncle or husband to start an okada or why haven't you gotten a Bajaj for them, sentiments can't build a nation. We just have to let go.
— sαℓмαη سلمان‎ ∂υкε 📸 (@SalmanDuke) January 28, 2020

Banning of Okada and tricycles in Lagos is the real example of how Government policies can affect businesses. What happens to people that invested in Opay, Gokada, etc with their cooperative loans or savings hoping to make back the money with profit?
— Nnamdi Onu (@MaziNnamdiOnu) January 27, 2020

Governor Nasir El-Rufai implemented a similar policy in Abuja while he was the FCT Minister in 2004.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu