Traveling by car is the most convenient and my commute is no exception! I usually ride with a relative or friend if they have a car and license. Otherwise, I take an Uber. Although, Uber and other rideshare apps in Nigeria, like Bolt, are not my preferred mode of transportation. There is no way to predict the condition of your driver’s car when using these apps. A few times I have been in situations where there is no air condition! In truth, a problem like lacking air conditioning is the least of my worries when riding in an Uber or Bolt. Since I’m foreign, I have to remain alert to make sure my driver follows the route correctly. My greatest fear is being in a situation where my driver takes me to somewhere other than my destination… that and riding in a keke again! Those small motorized tricycles have no doors with just a tarp for coverage. Worst of all, I rode in one alongside actual cars and trucks on highways. There are no speed limits here, so you can imagine my fear!
Nigeria is a country rich in oil. As a matter of fact, it is the second largest producer of oil and gas in Africa. To collect oil, countries like Nigeria pump it from wells on land or offshore using extraction methods like hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"). The oil travels through pipelines that lead to refineries where the crude oil (unrefined oil) becomes refined into usable products like fuels and plastics. Naturally, being an oil–rich country with car–centric cities, oil becomes a vital energy commodity for Nigeria’s economy and consumers. Most refined oil products such as gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel automobiles like airplanes, ships and, of course, cars.
