Lagride gives out new cars to 10 drivers in the second batch of drive-to-own scheme

Lagride, the Lagos state-backed e-mobility company, has handed over vehicle keys to 10 drivers in the second batch of its drive-to-own scheme. The handover ceremony, held at the company’s office in Alausa, Ikeja, comes exactly four months after the company handed over keys to 20 drivers in the first batch of the scheme.

The occasion marked a major milestone for the drivers who have been in training for 90 days as they transition from driving to earn for the company to driving to own the vehicles. The vehicles given out include both electric cars and petrol cars.

Speaking about the occasion, Lagride Executive Director, Mildred Ekanem, noted that the drivers who have gone through the training process and committed themselves to the standards of the platform are now taking another major step towards ownership.

“This is about dignity of work. It’s about the future of Lagos mobility and mobility in general. The programme gives captains a structured pathway to earn. It’s a pathway to life-changing opportunities. We are building a system where captains are treated as professionals, not just as drivers. They are service providers, entrepreneurs, and mobility ambassadors,” she said.

Noting that Lagos needs a transport system that is better organised, she said that through the drive-to-own, mobility becomes more than just a job. It becomes a tool for financial growth, job creation, and long-term asset ownership.

Lagride drive-to-own is powered by UBA’s $100m facility

Recall that last December, Lagride announced a $100 million financing facility from the United Bank for Africa (UBA). According to a statement to Technext, the facility will be deployed to expand its Drive To Own programme and enable 3,500 Lagos drivers to transition from daily earners into long-term asset owners, business operators and mobility investors.

See also: Lagride and UBA hand keys to first batch of drive-to-own beneficiaries

Today’s ceremony, which represents the second outcome of that endeavour, also marks an end to their training at the Lagride Academy, which the drivers have been on over the last 90 days.

Speaking of the academy, Mildred Ekanem who also serves as the Dean and Coordinator, expressed pride in what the academy represents. She noted that the academy is central to the quality and discipline expected from every captain on the platform.

She pointed out that at the Academy, captains are trained on a number of things including safety and responsible driving, customer service and rider experience, platform display, professional conduct, financial responsibility, vehicle care and maintenance, brand representation, public trust, and most importantly, just personal development

“This matters because a Lagride captain carries more than just passengers. A Lagride captain carries the reputation of the platform, compliments of the riders and the promise of a better mobility experience in Lagos.”

She also noted that onboarding of drivers takes place every 10th, 20th and 30th of every month.