A quiet revolution is taking place in the streets of Ibadan, challenging traditional gender norms and redefining narratives in the workforce.
It is no longer uncommon to sight women driving tricycles, popularly known as, Keke NAPEP, amongst the myriad of vehicles navigating through the city’s vibrant chaos, fearlessly manoeuvring through traffic, embodying resilience and breaking societal barriers.
In a society where commercial driving is viewed as exclusive to men, these women are rewriting the rules, steering their way through challenges both on and off the road. Their stories are as diverse as the routes they travel, each journey marked by determination, empowerment, and a desire for financial independence.
One such trailblazer is Mrs Ajayi Funmilayo, a 35-year-old mother of three who took up tricycle driving to support her family after her husband’s death in May.
“My husband died and so I came to the street,” she said. “My children have to eat and go to school. We need money.”
“Learning to drive was not hard at all. It’s very simple. You just need to have street O.T.”
Her journey reflects the wider narrative of these women who, out of necessity rather than choice, have embraced a profession not conventionally associated with femininity.
When asked about the reaction of her husband’s family to her decision, she said:
“Those ones? They don’t even know where we are living. Abeg, no talk about them.”
However, these women consistently face skepticism and prejudice, heralded by preconceived notions about their capabilities.
While Mrs Ajayi insinuated that there was no hitch in her “business”, a series of events contradicted this conception.
Passengers appeared skeptical when they flagged down the NAPEP and realized it was a woman behind the steering. One passenger who boarded during a transport from Bodija to Beere was particularly vocal about his surprise, expressing reservations about a woman’s ability to drive the tricycle effectively.
He kept on shouting remarks such as: “Please be careful o!” and “Don’t drag roads with them, you are a woman!” He, indeed, alighted before reaching his destination with a sarcastic “It’s okay here. You are well done.”
Another female tricycle rider who simply identified as Kemi admitted that she could always feel the weight of tradition and gender expectations bearing down on her. Passersby would pause, surprised to see a woman navigating the twists and turns of the bustling city on three wheels.
From disapproving glances to hushed whispers, Kemi faced the harsh reality of being a female in a male-dominated field. Yet, her passion for driving and the desire for financial independence fueled her determination to overcome these obstacles.
“People will be looking at you and be opening their mouths and be talking to each other in whispers. But I don’t care, my brother. As far as I am making money. They will soon grow used to it. No shaking,” Kemi said.
The quiet revolution sparked by these women is, beyond resilience, a call for a more inclusive narrative, one where the sound of a tricycle engine does not carry the weight of gender bias. As the streets of Ibadan witness this transformation, it is a reminder that breaking barriers requires determination, and the journey toward gender equality is a collective endeavor.
The women driving tricycles in Ibadan are not just rewriting the rules; they are rewriting the very essence of empowerment and equality. In their hands, the tricycle becomes a symbol not just of transportation but of progress and change.
Report by Faruk Ojo for IbadanCity ANNOUNCER
