A Lagos-based content creator has raised concerns over the reappearance of long queues at the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal in Elepe, Ikorodu, questioning the availability of buses despite earlier assurances from the Lagos State Government.
The creator, Onyinyechi Nwachukwu, popularly known online as Darkskinned Ella, shared a video on social media on Monday morning showing a large number of commuters waiting at the terminal.
In the caption accompanying the clip, she questioned whether the buses deployed earlier in the week were only temporarily provided.
“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 on Thursday and Friday, was it just for show?” she wrote.
In the video, the 23-year-old videographer said she arrived at the terminal around 6 a.m., but commuters were still stranded without buses by 6:30 a.m.
“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 crowd waiting at the station.
“So on Thursday and Friday it was just for face? Just one bus that is here, one bus out of the whole crowd,” she added.
Nwachukwu has been documenting her daily commute on the BRT system through her online series titled “100 Days BRT Challenge,” where she highlights the challenges commuters face in Lagos.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH Online, she explained that the project was created to showcase 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 where 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 she had been directed by her superiors to warn the creator.
“She said her superiors asked her to warn me to stop recording. I asked why I should stop, but she didn’t give any clear explanation,” she said.
Nwachukwu added that the situation 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 join 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, noting that she continued filming to document the incident.
Responding earlier, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) said the situation was misunderstood and related to privacy concerns rather than harassment.
The agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kolawole Ojelabi, explained that filming individuals without their consent within transport facilities is discouraged.
“In line with privacy laws, filming individuals without their consent within our transport infrastructure is discouraged.
“One of the ground staff of a Bus Operating Company attempted to communicate this policy to the individual filming, but the message was unfortunately received with aggression,” he said.
LAMATA 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 were diverted for private events, describing the allegation as false.
LAMATA added that it is working with private operators to expand the bus fleet and reduce waiting time for commuters.
The BRT system in Lagos is regulated by LAMATA, which oversees policy and infrastructure, while daily operations are handled by private operators, including Primero Transport Services Limited.
Concerns about long queues at BRT terminals have persisted for years, particularly along busy routes such as the Ikorodu corridor where demand for buses often exceeds supply.
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