Many women in the Federal Capital Territory have converted their private cars into informal taxis, popularly known as “kabu-kabu,” to make ends meet.

Some female drivers told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja that the move was necessitated by economic hardship.

NAN reports that the trend is becoming more visible, as women are seen at major junctions and bus stops across the city picking up passengers.

Many private car owners nowadays—most of whom are females in luxury cars—now pick up passengers heading to different parts of Abuja.

A driver, Mrs. Jane Nwaogara, said the development was largely driven by rising transportation costs following the increase in petrol prices.

According to Nwaogara, mounting household expenses such as school fees, rent, and food call for additional sources of income.

“The economic hardship is biting hard. I have so many bills to pay, including my children’s school fees, feeding, utility, and medical bills, among others.

Above all these is the increasing cost in pump price of petrol.
My salary cannot settle all of these, so I need to find additional income, thus my involvement in the kabu-kabu business,” she said.

Similarly, a mother of three, Mrs. Blessing Okafor, who operates along the Lugbe to Area 1 route, said she started conveying passengers earlier this year to cope with rising household expenses.

“Things are very difficult now. School fees, feeding, and house rent are not easy to handle with just one source of income,” she said.

Okafor said she decided to use her car to pick passengers during peak hours after realizing that many commuters struggled to find affordable transport.

“I usually park at the junction in the morning and evening. Sometimes people are surprised when they see a woman driving kabu-kabu, but it is the only way I can support my family,” she said.

Another driver, Mrs. Habiba Moses, said the increase in fuel prices and the cost of living had made it necessary for many families to look for alternative income sources.

“When fuel prices go up, transport fares also increase. Many people cannot afford the regular taxis anymore, so they enter our cars,” she said.

According to Moses, the income from conveying passengers helps her buy fuel, pay utility bills, and meet other family needs.

Mrs. Erica Ekah said that since she adopted the practice of conveying passengers to and from work, the issue of money to buy fuel was history.

“Recently, I discovered that more female drivers in their very posh cars are beginning to flood major junctions where we park to also pick passengers with their vehicles.

People are really struggling these days. The economy is affecting everyone, and no one is ashamed anymore but is exploring different means of making ends meet.

Transportation is critical to economic growth, and issues around it need to be taken seriously by governments at all levels for the betterment of citizens.”

Meanwhile, residents who patronize the service said the growing number of private cars operating as taxis reflects the level of economic pressure facing households in the capital city.

A civil servant, Mr. Samuel Olatunde, said many workers now rely on side businesses to survive.

“My salary alone cannot cover my expenses, and I think the same applies to everyone. Some of my colleagues carry passengers after work just to make extra money.

Also, many private vehicles seen around busy junctions during rush hours are owned by workers trying to augment their income,” he said.

Some commuters, however, acknowledged that the presence of more private vehicles offering rides has helped reduce waiting time for transport, especially during peak periods.

Miss Ruth James, a trader, said, “I see people with very neat cars stopping to pick passengers. Some of them are mostly women who just want to make extra money.

I think the motivation for many of them is simple—‘survival.’ They are not doing it for luxury but because the economy is hard and their families depend on them,” she said.

Economic analysts say the growing participation of women in informal transport reflects broader economic realities.

An economist, Mr. Eric Eze, said worsening economic conditions in Nigeria are pushing more women into sectors traditionally dominated by men, just to generate income.

“Many households are turning to the informal sector because wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

When income is stagnant and prices and the general cost of living keep rising, people naturally look for alternative ways to earn money.

Women, in particular, are increasingly entering transport and other informal businesses to maintain household stability.

The expansion of informal taxi services may continue if economic pressures persist and public transportation systems remain inadequate,” he said.