Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Anxiety rises among Lagos commercial drivers as the state government prepares to phase out korope minibuses from major highways under the next phase of the Lekki–Epe Bus Reform Scheme beginning 8 December.
Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa says the government intends to “remove the small buses known as korope from major highways and reassign them to feeder and community routes,” insisting that many currently operating vehicles are unsafe for major corridors. Under the new system, regulated operators will exclusively serve key routes including Ajah–CMS, Ajah–Oshodi, Ajah–Berger and Ajah–Iyana Ipaja.
Drivers fear the changes will threaten their livelihoods. Korope owner Adewale Waliu tells AHR on Wednesday, “They want to chase us away without giving us any real alternative.”
Another driver adds that the policy could “make life harder for small drivers who depend on korope to survive.”
In the first phase, 229 medium- and high-capacity buses will operate on designated routes. All will be Lagos-branded and equipped with QR codes, TAP stickers and Cowry card-only payment systems. Giwa warns that operators or commuters who accept or offer cash will face prosecution as enforcement intensifies.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Otamere Gladness 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwatobi Adu