By Joseph Olumide
Ride-hailing platform LagRide has commenced a major fleet expansion ahead of the year-end travel season, deploying 400 additional vehicles across Lagos and targeting the mobilisation of more than 1,000 new Captains before December 2026 to meet the anticipated surge in transportation demand during the Ember Months.
The expansion programme was officially launched at the LagRide 2026 Driver Mobilisation and Fleet Flag-Off held at the company's operations centre in Alausa, where more than 100 newly inducted Captains drove out in the first batch of vehicles.
The 400 vehicles will be rolled out in phases over the coming months as the company strengthens its presence across the state in preparation for increased business activities, tourism, entertainment events, airport traffic and other end-of-year movements.
LagRide projects that the expanded fleet will help facilitate more than 200,000 trips during the Ember Months and the festive "Detty December" period.
Executive Director of LagRide Nigeria, Mildred Ekanem, said the company was building on an already strong operational base, with more than 2,000 vehicles currently operating on the platform across Lagos.
"We already have over 2,000 LagRide vehicles on the road across Lagos, and we are expanding from that position of strength. The 400 vehicles being deployed are part of our immediate expansion, and between now and December, we are targeting the mobilisation of over 1,000 additional Captains," she said.
According to Ekanem, the expansion is designed to improve service availability, reduce waiting times and ensure wider coverage as travel demand rises during the closing months of the year.
She added that the company was extending its operations into more communities, including FESTAC, Ikorodu and Ajah, while increasing the number of Captains operating in existing service areas.
"Our focus is expanded availability, wider coverage and ensuring that whenever customers need a LagRide, there are more Captains ready to serve them," she said.
The fleet expansion follows weeks of community engagement campaigns across Lagos aimed at attracting prospective Captains and creating greater public awareness of the platform ahead of the peak travel season.
LagRide said customers would also benefit from promotional offers, loyalty rewards and other incentives during the Ember Months to encourage greater patronage.
Ekanem noted that the company's 24-hour customer service centre would continue to provide round-the-clock support, handling enquiries, complaints and issues such as items forgotten in vehicles.
She added that the company would leverage the maintenance infrastructure of CIG Group and GAC Motor, including several service centres across Lagos and a dedicated express maintenance facility in Alausa, to minimise vehicle downtime and maintain fleet efficiency.
The expansion is also expected to boost participation in LagRide's Drive-to-Own programme, which provides Captains with a structured pathway to vehicle ownership after completing an initial 90-day rental period and meeting prescribed performance requirements.
LagRide's Director of Public Relations, Ifeanyi Abraham, urged the newly inducted Captains to uphold professionalism, integrity and excellent customer service while representing the company's brand.
"We want our Captains to wear the LagRide identity with pride. Every time you pick up a customer, you are representing LagRide and you are representing Lagos. The standard of service our customers experience starts with you," he said.
Abraham also called on the media to highlight the broader economic impact of the company's expansion, describing reliable transportation as essential to Lagos' status as one of Africa's leading commercial, entertainment and tourism destinations.
He said the company aims to build a culture of professionalism among its Captains comparable to organised mobility systems in major cities around the world.
LagRide said the expansion would continue to be supported by its technology-driven safety features, including comprehensive vehicle insurance, in-car dashboard cameras and integrated panic buttons, while maintaining a strong focus on customer experience, fleet maintenance and service quality.
Some of the newly inducted Captains expressed optimism about the opportunities created by the programme.
Deborah Adeyemi said the platform offers flexible work arrangements that enable her to earn a sustainable income while managing her schedule, while Mustapha Kayode Abdullahi said he hopes to eventually own a vehicle through the Drive-to-Own initiative.
With more than 2,000 vehicles already operating across Lagos, the deployment of 400 additional vehicles and the planned recruitment of over 1,000 new Captains represent one of LagRide's largest expansion drives, positioning the company to meet the expected spike in mobility demand during the final months of 2026.
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