Women take to the wheel in Cross River

2026-02-24 - 00:56

By Emma Unah CALABAR- A growing number of women are shattering stereotypes and taking to the wheel of commercial vehicles in Cross River State, effectively competing with their male counterparts for clients. From mini buses to long-distance trucks, these women are proving they can handle the road with the best of them. The driving force behind this new trend is the desire to boost their financial income to meet needs. Many of the women who are into this driving business have different tales why they are into a career which is male- dominated. NDV met Rita Onoyom, a single mother of two who drives a mini bus on the Watt Market to 8 miles route in Calabar. “I was trained in a driving school and initially drove for personal use, but two years ago, I decided to turn my skill into a money-making venture so I rented a minibus from a neighbour. “He was skeptical at first but when he found out I was consistent in remitting the agreed sum, he became comfortable and allowed me to keep driving. I was able to save money to buy this bus late last year and I have been driving for myself,” she said. “I drive from 6:00am to 6:00pm. My younger sister is with me and she prepares the children for school and brings them back. I return home at 6:00pm though that is the evening rush hour but I have to prepare dinner for the kids and also help them with their home work.” On how much she makes daily, she said: “I cannot tell you how much I make every day because the amount is not constant but you can be sure I make enough profit to take care of myself and to save some.” Rita’s story is just one of many, as women from various backgrounds take to driving to boost their financial independence. There is also Aunty Iquo, a grandmother who turned to driving after losing her husband and being let down by previous drivers. She’s now a popular taxi driver, proud of building a house from her earnings. Her words: “I used to teach that is why the name ‘Aunty’ stuck to me. It was after I lost my husband. He left a car behind. The salary from my teaching work could not take care of me and the kids so I gave out the car to some persons to drive and make returns but all I was hearing were stories. “I tried three of them, all the same so I thought to myself, why not drive the car myself so I renewed my licence and went behind the wheel. Lo and behold, it has been a pleasant experience. I have built a house from the proceeds and after that, I will replace this car.” Then there is Ruthy, a 22-year-old truck driver hauling cement from Lafarge to Abeokuta, who said: “The truck is big, but everything is flexible. It’s self-operating. It tells you what to do, and all you need is to use your skills appropriately. It is quite comfortable inside. You can sleep and take enough rest when you are tired but it is worth it in terms of the salary and other benefits.” An interesting one is a lady who took to driving to experience what her husband experiences while driving a truck to Enugu to deliver goods. “My husband was always away delivering goods and I thought he was up to some game to stay away from home so I went to a driving school and with his help, I got a place to also drive trucks to Enugu and sometimes we met each other on the way. Our children are grown so, no issues. I am about 45 years old and still strong. My driving skill is perfect.” These women, and many more like them, are rewriting the rules and challenging traditional gender roles. They are driving trucks, buses, taxis, and tricycles, and proving they are just as capable as their male counterparts. As one female Bolt driver said: “Driving is a money-making machine, particularly during festive periods. One hardly sleeps during those periods, but at the end of the season, your savings are in millions. I cannot do anything else.” A source at the Information unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps told NDV that the agency has no preferential treatment for any gender, emphasizing that if you are driving on Nigerian roads, you must have the required documents and skills. These women are showing they are up for the challenge.