…Seeks better deal for female drivers

The Ladies on Wheel Association of Nigeria (LOWAN) has secured formal representation on the National Council on Transportation (NCT), giving female drivers a direct voice in national transportation policy discussions.

The development took place at the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja, where LOWAN was formally inaugurated into the Council’s stakeholder structure.

The association was represented by its Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees,  Abiola Nkechi Toluwani, who described the recognition as a major breakthrough for women working in Nigeria’s transportation sector. Toluwani said the development would move the association’s advocacy efforts beyond engagement to direct participation in policy formulation.

“We fought for a seat at the table; today, that seat has been secured. We are no longer asking to be heard—we are now officially part of the Council where decisions concerning Nigeria’s transportation future are made.”

She said LOWAN would use its representation to draw policymakers’ attention to the economic and working conditions confronting female drivers, particularly those operating within the growing app-based transportation sector.

According to her, the association would advocate fair and sustainable fares, driver welfare, safety and security, transparent platform charges, social protection, insurance and pension coverage, recognition of platform workers, responsible digital transportation regulation, vehicle financing and improved working conditions.

Toluwani stressed that women should be regarded as critical stakeholders in transportation rather than merely participants in the sector. She said their experiences behind the wheel should inform policies and regulations affecting the industry.

The LOWAN representation came alongside the unveiling and presentation of the Approved National Land Transport Policy (NLTP), one of the major highlights of the 19th NCT.

The Council brought together senior government officials, Commissioners for Transportation, representatives of federal and state agencies, members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders in the transportation industry.

Toluwani said the association’s inclusion was particularly significant as Nigeria’s platform economy continues to expand, creating the need for stronger measures to protect drivers.

“LOWAN is no longer outside the national transportation policy table. We are now officially part of it,” she said, adding that the development was the result of sustained advocacy, engagement and dialogue by the association’s leadership.

“From advocacy to representation, from the streets to the national policy table, the voice of female drivers has finally gained formal recognition. This is not just a victory for LOWAN; it is a victory for every woman who gets behind the wheel to earn a living and contribute to Nigeria’s economy.”

The association said its representation on the NCT would also strengthen efforts to promote decent work and social protection for drivers, particularly as digital transportation platforms become increasingly important to urban mobility.

LOWAN pledged to work with government, regulators, transportation unions, technology platforms, development partners and other stakeholders towards a safer, fairer and more sustainable transportation system.

The association said its new position on the NCT carried the responsibility of ensuring that the experiences of female drivers translate into meaningful policy discussions and practical outcomes.