- Lagos Content Creator Laments Return of Long Queues at Ikorodu BRT Terminal
- The 23 year old videographer said she arrived at the terminal by 6 a.m. but by 6:30 a.m. commuters were still stranded without buses
- The content creator also alleged that she was harassed by a staff member while filming at a BRT station
A Lagos based content creator, Onyinyechi Nwachukwu, popularly known online as Darkskinned Ella, has raised fresh concerns over long queues at the Bus Rapid Transit terminal in Elepe, Ikorodu, questioning the availability of buses despite earlier assurances from the Lagos State Government.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Nwachukwu shared a video on social media on Monday morning showing a large crowd of commuters waiting at the BRT terminal as early as 6 a.m.
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In the caption accompanying the video, she questioned whether the additional buses deployed earlier in the week were only temporary measures.
“These people don tire me! Mondays are always hectic that’s why I had to check myself and then the LONG QUEUE AGAIN. @lamataonline the many buses that were provided Thursday and Friday, was it just for show?” she wrote.
In the video, the 23 year old videographer said she arrived at the terminal by 6 a.m. but by 6:30 a.m. commuters were still stranded without buses.
“Good morning Nigerians, I got here by 6 a.m. and right now the time is currently 6:30 a.m. We are in the same situation, no bus. We actually thought this change was permanent, what happened?” she said.
She also questioned why only one bus was available despite the large number of passengers waiting.
“So on Thursday and Friday it was just for face, is that what it is? Just one bus that is here, just one bus out of the whole crowd,” she added.
Nwachukwu has been documenting her daily commute on the BRT system through her online project titled the “100 Days BRT Challenge,” where she highlights the challenges faced by commuters in Lagos.
Speaking in an interview, she said the initiative was created to showcase the realities of commuting in the city while balancing a full time job and content creation.
“I started the 100 Days BRT Challenge because life in Lagos can be very stressful. I personally struggle a lot trying to balance my daily routine.
“As a full time 9 to 5 worker and content creator, my days are very demanding. So, I decided to document 100 days of my life to show the reality of my daily experiences and struggles in Lagos State,” she explained.
The content creator also alleged that she was harassed by a staff member while filming at a BRT station.
According to her, the staff member approached her and asked her to stop recording, claiming she had been instructed by superiors to issue the warning.
“She claimed her superiors had asked her to warn me to stop recording. I asked her why I should stop, but she didn’t give me any clear explanation,” she said.
Nwachukwu further alleged that the confrontation escalated the following day when the staff member attempted to seize her phone and asked her to leave the queue.
“She threatened to seize my phone and asked me to leave the queue and go to another one at the motor park. I told her she had no right to seize my phone or dictate what I could record,” she added.
Responding earlier to the incident, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority said the situation was misunderstood and related to privacy concerns rather than harassment.
The Head of Corporate Communications at LAMATA, Kolawole Ojelabi, explained that filming individuals without their consent within transport facilities is discouraged.
“In line with the privacy law, filming individuals without their consent within our transport infrastructure is discouraged,” he said.
Ojelabi added that a staff member from one of the bus operating companies attempted to communicate the policy to the content creator, but the message was not well received.
The agency also addressed complaints about bus shortages along the Ikorodu corridor, explaining that buses operate on scheduled routes and may not always be immediately available.
“Each route has a specific number of buses allocated to it. Once these buses are loaded and depart with passengers to their destinations, subsequent commuters may have to wait for the buses to return before boarding,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that buses were diverted for private events, describing the allegation as untrue.
LAMATA noted that it is working with private operators to increase the number of buses and reduce waiting time for commuters.
The BRT system in Lagos is regulated by LAMATA, while daily operations are handled by private bus operators including Primero Transport Services Limited.
Concerns over long queues at BRT terminals have persisted for years, particularly along the busy Ikorodu corridor where demand for buses often exceeds available supply.
