A Lagos-based content creator has lamented the resumed long queues at the Bus Rapid Transit terminal in Elepe, Ikorodu, questioning the availability of buses despite assurances from the Lagos State Government following her earlier protest .
The creator, Onyinyechi Nwachukwu, popularly known online as Darkskinned Ella, shared a video on social media showing a large crowd waiting at the terminal early Monday morning .
In the caption accompanying the video, she questioned whether the buses deployed earlier in the week were only temporary.
“These people don tire me! Mondays are always hectic that’s why I had to check myself and then the LONG QUEUE AGAIN. @lamataonline the many buses that were provided Thursday and Friday, was it just for show?” she wrote .
In the video, the 23-year-old videographer said she arrived at the terminal by 6 a.m., but commuters were still stranded without buses.
“Good morning Nigerians, I got here by 6 a.m. and right now the time is currently 6:30 a.m. We are in the same situation, no bus. We actually thought this change was permanent, what happened?” she said .
She also questioned why only one bus was available despite the large number of passengers waiting.
“So on Thursday and Friday it was just for face, is that what it is? Just one bus that is here, just one bus out of the whole crowd,” she added .
Nwachukwu has been documenting her daily commute on the BRT system as part of her online series titled the “100 Days BRT Challenge,” where she highlights the challenges commuters face in Lagos .
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online, she explained that the idea behind the project was to document the realities of commuting in the city while balancing a full-time job and content creation.
“I started the 100 Days BRT Challenge because life in Lagos can be very stressful. I personally struggle a lot trying to balance my daily routine. As a full-time 9-to-5 worker and content creator, my days are very demanding. So, I decided to document 100 days of my life to show the reality of my daily experiences and struggles in Lagos State,” she said .
The content creator also recounted an incident in which she was allegedly harassed while filming at a BRT station. According to her, a staff member approached her and asked her to stop recording, claiming that she had been instructed by superiors to warn the creator .
“She claimed her superiors had asked her to warn me to stop recording. I asked her why I should stop, but she didn’t give me any clear explanation,” she said .
Nwachukwu added that the confrontation escalated the following day when the staff member allegedly attempted to seize her phone. “She threatened to seize my phone and asked me to leave the queue and go to another one at the motor park. I told her she had no right to seize my phone or dictate what I could record,” she said, adding that she continued filming to document the situation .
Responding to the allegations earlier, LAMATA said the incident was misunderstood and related to privacy concerns rather than harassment. Kolawole Ojelabi, Head of Corporate Communications at LAMATA, said filming individuals without consent within transport facilities is discouraged .
“In line with the privacy law, filming individuals without their consent within our transport infrastructure is discouraged. One of the ground staff of one of our Bus Operating Companies attempted to communicate this policy to the individual who was filming, but the message was unfortunately received with aggression,” he said .
The agency also addressed complaints about bus shortages along the Ikorodu corridor, explaining that buses operate on scheduled routes and may not always be immediately available.
“Each route has a specific number of buses allocated to it. Once these buses are loaded and depart with passengers to their destinations, subsequent commuters may have to wait for the buses to return before boarding,” Ojelabi said .
He also dismissed claims that buses had been diverted for private events, describing the allegation as untrue. “This is not true. Buses are not expected to be on charter,” he added .
LAMATA noted that it is working with private operators to expand the fleet and reduce commuter waiting times .
The BRT system in Lagos is regulated by LAMATA, which oversees policy, infrastructure, and system management, while daily operations are handled by private bus operators including Primero Transport Services Limited .
