Ajagbe’s Bold Plan: August24news to Honour Best Bus Driver and Conductor of the Year
In a move set to redefine the image of Lagos’ bustling transport system, frontline journalist and publisher of August24news.com, Mr. Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, has unveiled the Best Driver and Best Conductor of the Year Awards, a pioneering initiative designed to reward excellence, promote discipline, and elevate standards in the state’s commercial bus sector.
The maiden edition of the competition will run from January to December 2026, with winners crowned at a gala night, marking the start of what organisers plan to be an annual celebration of professionalism in Lagos transport.
Raising Standards in Lagos’ Public Transport
Lagos’ notorious danfo and commuter bus culture has long been associated with chaos—reckless driving, fare disputes, and harassment. Yet, as Ajagbe insists, there are also drivers and conductors who demonstrate honesty, discipline, and courtesy.
The awards aim to spotlight these unsung professionals while discouraging the vices that have plagued the system. According to Ajagbe, parameters for selection include:
- Passenger commendations and scorecards
- Public voting (online, SMS, hard copy forms)
- Professional conduct, such as avoiding bribery of traffic officials, driving sober, treating passengers with courtesy, charging fair fares, and caring for the naira.
- Safety compliance, including stopping only at designated bus stops, maintaining roadworthy vehicles, and refraining from making calls while driving.
“We want to put drivers and conductors on watch, reward the best among them, and set an agenda for accountability. Lagos deserves a transport culture that reflects dignity, not disorder,” Ajagbe said at a press briefing.
Incentives: Rewards Beyond Expectation
In a country where recognition for public service roles is rare, the rewards on offer are staggering. The Best Driver and Best Conductor will each receive:
- A brand-new commercial bus and private car
- A duplex in Lagos
- ₦24 million cash prize
- A brand ambassador contract and driving contract
- Daily 20 litres of free fuel for one month
- Employment for two of their children
- 24 bespoke attires, 24 tyres, and multiple gifts
- Courtesy visits to 10 dignitaries and tours of 10 iconic Lagos sites
- An official letter of commendation from the Lagos State Government
Ajagbe noted that the award is backed by a proposed ₦1 billion project budget, with sponsorship opportunities open to corporate brands, philanthropists, and government agencies.
Business & Social Impact
The awards project is more than ceremonial. It represents a deliberate attempt to:
- Change public perception: repositioning drivers and conductors as respected professionals.
- Encourage discipline: reducing accidents caused by reckless behaviour and substance abuse.
- Improve customer experience: ensuring commuters receive value for money and courtesy in service.
- Attract sponsors: providing companies an opportunity to align their brands with safety, discipline, and social impact.
- Complement government policy: by pushing for uniforms, identification numbers, and structured monitoring of drivers and conductors.
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), has already endorsed the initiative, calling it a “laudable project that will bring dignity to commercial transportation in Lagos.”
Lagos Transport in Focus: Why This Matters
With over 90% of Lagosians dependent on public buses daily, the initiative touches millions of lives. Lagos’ chaotic transport sector has often been seen as a reflection of the city’s struggle with order and governance. By institutionalising recognition, the awards could reshape public orientation and set new benchmarks.
For businesses, it creates CSR and branding opportunities in a high-visibility sector. For commuters, it promises safer, friendlier journeys. For government, it is a low-cost way to achieve behavioural reform in urban mobility.
BRANDECONOMY Takeaway
Ajagbe’s Best Driver and Best Conductor Awards is more than an award—it is a social innovation project. If backed with strong sponsorship and government partnership, it could become a flagship initiative for urban behavioural reform, restoring dignity to public transport workers and improving the daily commuting experience in Lagos.
For once, bus drivers and conductors—the much-maligned lifeline of Lagos mobility—may have the chance to be celebrated as ambassadors of safety, order, and service excellence.
