Most Nigerian okada riders are better off than their fellow bankers, who knot the tie and suit up, in their rush for their 8-5pm hustle on a daily basis.
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On an average, a banker earns around 80-100k in a month, while others earn way above, some also earn even lesser. But an okada rider in lagos can make over #8k daily or even more depending on the weather and the okada itself. Approximately, that’s more than #200,000 in a month.
Speaking to Mr. Falodun, who ply Sanya-Cele axis, daily, he said, “Nigbami a ma nri to 10,000 lojumo, nigbami ode le je 5000 ni ama ko dele” when translated he meant; sometimes we can make up to #10,000, and some other days, we can go home with #5000.
Even though some of them admitted to the difficulties and taxation from various angles, government and the ones that aren’t government, they however believe all this taxation has made them continuously live below the poverty line.
A Nigerian banker, Mr. Emeka Chinonye, (though he requested name of bank remain confidential) also made the comparison, saying, “I started as a cashier, in 2020, I was paid, #60,000, monthly, so what I do is I engage in online teaching as a way to make ends meet” he continued stating why he couldn’t drive Okada, laying it on the premises of what society would say.
“The truth is, most okada riders are better off than all these bankers you see, but how would I ride okada after passing through the rigors of education”
Bilaal, takes passengers from the sanya axis to Aguda, when asked how much he makes daily, he said, “Sometimes I dey collect #500 to Aguda, and if I dey come back, #400, then I go pay #200 for Agbero” everytime I load.
By his analysis, that’s roughly #700 per trip if Bilaal goes ten times that’s about #7000, remember there are no off days, and there are no compulsory days as well, in month someone like him could go home with about #175,000 in a month, few bankers at starting level could boast of that much in a month, after taxation.
This comparison is dependent on location, and individual as well, while there are frugal riders, and bankers we have those who are loose in spending.
This analysis wont be balanced, if we fail to acknowledge the hazards involved in the profession as well, while 30% or more road accidents are attributed to “Okada riders” safety and a more strict ethics should be considered for these transporters. And such hazards are absent in the banking industry except on rare occasions.
However the message here is dignity in labour, whatever you are doing in Nigeria legally to stay alive, please keep it up.
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