Bolt’s First Passenger Safety Meet & Greet Puts 42M Nigerians at the Centre of Ride-Hailing Safety

If you thought ride-hailing was just about getting from A to B without your driver taking a “shortcut to destination,” think again. Bolt is now taking safety so seriously that it hosted its first-ever Passenger Safety Meet & Greet in Lagos on July 9, 2025, turning what could have been a simple coffee-and-chat into a full-blown safety dialogue.

The forum brought together passengers, drivers, regulators, media, lifestyle influencers, and Bolt staff to confront the realities of urban mobility in Nigeria. 

Riders gave an account of everyday frustrations, including fare disputes, air-conditioning etiquette, offline payment pressure, while drivers explained the daily challenges of navigating Lagos roads under high demand.

Engr Adebayo Olusoji, director of Public Transport Commuter Services, delivered a keynote stressing collaboration, continuous education, and policy enforcement as cornerstones for a safer urban mobility space. 

The discussion then shifted to pressing passenger concerns: verification processes, data privacy, and accountability in Economy (Basic) trips. Many riders spoke about their fears when it comes to app data misuse, including drivers taking screenshots of personal information. Their message reiterated the fact that privacy and safety cannot be separated.

Bolt responded by highlighting its suite of safety tools. Trip sharing, in-trip audio recording, driver and rider verification, emergency assist buttons, in-trip insurance, and 24/7 customer support were all presented as mechanisms designed to restore trust and prevent incidents. 

The event also included a role-play session simulating typical rider-driver interactions, ensuring candid conversations about mutual respect, communication, and empathy.

Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt’s head of Regulatory and Policy, summed up the ethos of the day: “This isn’t just about enforcing platform rules, it’s about putting people at the centre of the safety conversation. Our mission is to co-create solutions that reflect the real experiences of riders and drivers. Today’s forum shows that when we listen, learn, and act together, we can build a more respectful and secure ride-hailing experience for all.”

Bolt plans a nationwide engagement strategy to further embed community-led safety practices. This approach reflects Nigeria’s growing expectations for safer, smarter urban transport, a market projected to reach $477.10 million by the end of 2025 with over 42 million users by 2030.

Recent metrics show Bolt’s efforts are translating into action. Offline trip rates have dropped 42% in three months. Trusted Contacts usage jumped from 7,839 in January to 31,216 in June. Pick-Up Codes, designed to prevent riders from entering the wrong vehicle, have been used by 5,568 riders in the first half of 2025.

These numbers indicate growing confidence in app-based safety tools and a shift in the ride-hailing culture.

The Bolt first Passenger Safety Meet & Greet stresses that safety is beyond policy, it’s a conversation. One the company is committed to leading in Nigeria.

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