A survey of ride-hailing platform, Bolt, has revealed that Lagos residents commute more often than residents of any other major city, with 83.4% of respondents in Lagos reporting that they commute daily.
This places Lagos above Poland (83%) and the Czech Republic (82.4%) in daily commute frequency, making it the city with the highest rate of daily commuters in the ten-country survey.
The report surveyed over 3,300 people across cities in Europe and Africa and also revealed how daily commuting affects mental well-being and quality of life.
More than half of the Lagos respondents (52%) say they spend at least one hour commuting each day, and a significant portion commute over two hours. Only Romania reported higher figures for long commutes.
Across all countries surveyed, 20 to 30% of respondents said commuting always or often negatively impacts their mental health. These mental health effects are especially stark in high-congestion cities like Lagos, where long travel times and traffic uncertainty are part of everyday life.
According to the survey, commuters who walk, cycle, or use shared scooters report lower stress levels and higher satisfaction.
This suggests that city planners should invest in infrastructure that supports micromobility, including safe pedestrian paths, dedicated bike lanes, and expanded access to scooters and e-bikes.
Trekk, a Nigerian electric scooter company, is already trying to grow the micromobility culture in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria; however, such initiatives have faced push back even in advanced countries.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Bolt has examined Nigeria’s commuting habits. A 2022 report revealed that Abuja ordered the most Bolt rides in Nigeria that year.
It also revealed tipping patterns in different Nigerian cities and which days people ordered the most rides.
However, the ride-hailing company, which recently launched electric tricycles in Lagos, is facing strike actions from its drivers demanding reduced commissions and better welfare packages.
