“Keke Maruwa” in Lagos

Tricycle, generally referred to as Keke Maruwa, is a means of transport in Nigeria. The three-legged ride with a bucket officially designed for three passengers minus the rider is exceptionally popular in Nigeria’s political capital, Lagos.


Officially, the cycle is supposed to carry three passengers. But as some taxis and trotro are often seen carrying more passengers than they are officially meant to, Keke is also use to breaking road traffic rules in West Africa’s most populous country.

When that happens, the fourth ‘unofficial passenger’ sits by the driver instead of sitting in the bucket.

Keke is vehemently competing with commercial taxis and buses in the country. Indeed, they are a major means of movement for humans and goods. The services and charges of the Keke vary and they perform same functions as commercial taxis, including hire services.

Unofficial reports have it that the Tricycle was promoted by Buba Marwa, a former military administrator of Lagos who served between 1996 and 1999.

Although Keke has gained popularity as an affordable means of transport for people and goods throughout Nigeria, city authorities have confined its operations to specific routes where commercial motorbike riders are not allowed to operate on.

Commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, were banned from operating in the city center over six years ago within the city centre.

The Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola, is reported to have urged residents of the state to endure whatever inconveniences the restriction of Okada riders from the state metropolis might have caused them.

He said “Okada will not be our transportation model in this state. Other states have banned it and heaven did not fall in those states. Our state will not be a dumping ground for motorcycles. But instead of banning it in Lagos, what the government has done was to restrict their operations on 475 roads out of 9,000.”

He assured the residents that the legislation would be of great benefit to the people of Lagos in the long-run. “There will be no gain without some pain attached to it. And every resident of Lagos should be ready to sacrifice for the reward that would come in a short time,” he said. GB