How to Survive Nigerian Transportation Using Only Pidgin
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
If you never enter danfo bus before, you never really taste Naija life. From the sweaty hustle at the bus stop to the conductor wey dey shout like megaphone wey get battery problem, public transport na cultural experience on its own. But here’s the catch: if you no sabi Pidgin, you fit miss your stop, pay double, or worse, hear conductor insult your entire generation.
This blog go arm you with the Pidgin survival kit wey fit carry you from Oshodi to Ojuelegba without disgrace. Make we run am!
1. Entering the Bus (a.k.a. Battle Royale)
Forget London Tube manners. Lagos buses (called danfo) be like Hunger Games. If you no sharp, your own don red.
When bus stop:
If your destination na Oshodi (one of the busiest transport hubs in Lagos), shout:
"Oshodi! Oshodi straight!"
That way conductor sabi where you dey go.If conductor point at you, move fast. Danfo no dey wait for royal walk — e go zoom comot.
💡 Pro Tip: Always hold small change. If you bring ₦1,000 note for ₦200 bus fare, conductor go look you like criminal.
2. Paying the Fare (Avoid Story That Touch)
Once bus don move small, conductor go shout: "Bring your money!"
This na your moment to shine in Pidgin.
Useful Pidgin lines:
"How much be Ojota?" (Ojota = another big transport park in Lagos) → Asking for the fare.
"Take 200, I no get change." → Tell conductor upfront if you dey drop big note.
"Abeg, balance me my change o." → Always remind conductor, otherwise your money go vanish like smoke.
3. Surviving the Ride (Noise, Sweat & Random Preachers)
Inside danfo, na full movie:
If conductor shout "Waka go front!" → squeeze yourself pass other passengers, no form shy.
"Shift small!" = The anthem. Shift even if na air you dey shift.
Sometimes, pastor fit start mini-church inside bus. Just nod, say "Amen". No argue.
Body language tips:
No drag seat with market woman. She go win.
Hold your pocket. Not every hand inside bus dey pray for you.
4. Calling Your Bus Stop (Shout Before E Late)
Danfo no get bell, na your voice be the bell. Once you near your stop:
Shout "Owa o!" = Stop here!
Or say "Conductor, I dey drop for next junction."
If you whisper, forget am. Driver go carry you reach next state.
5. Surviving Conductor Insults (Part of the Package)
Conductor dey insult for sport. Don’t take am personal. Sample lines:
"Your papa!" (default insult)
"No be me go train you!"
Best response? Laugh small, ignore, or throw soft jab back: "At least my papa sabi baff."
Taking Okada (a.k.a. Fast & Furious Naija Edition)
Sometimes traffic go choke die. That’s when you hear the sweet hum of salvation: okada (commercial motorcycle). Okada dey save your time, but e get rules.
Step 1: Hail am well
Stand for roadside and wave like you dey call person. Shout your destination clear:
"Okada! Yaba, how much?"
👉 Yaba = popular district in Lagos known for markets and tech hub.
Step 2: Negotiate before you climb
Okada men fit double price once you don sit down. Always ask:
"How much you go take carry me go CMS?"
👉 CMS = Central Lagos, near the island.If price too high, no vex. Just waka comot — another okada go pass in 30 seconds.
Goodluck if you dey find okada man wey go give you helmet
Step 3: Safety (Na Your Life o!)
Always hold your bag tight. Wind fit snatch am.
Balance well, no dey press phone anyhow.
If rider dey speed like Fast & Furious extra, shout: "Oga abeg, small small!" (translation: Please, slow down).
Useful Pidgin lines:
"Oya, carry me go!" = Let’s move.
"Abeg drop me here!" = Stop here, please.
"No pass that road, hold this one." = Give direction.
💡 Pro Tip: Okada na king for shortcuts. If danfo go take one hour, okada fit dash you reach in 15 minutes — but your prayer life go increase along the way.
Final Yarn
Nigerian transportation no be beans, but with small Pidgin, you fit waka like champion. From shouting "Owa o!" to demanding your change, every line you drop na survival move. Next time you enter danfo, just remember: na Pidgin dey keep you safe, sharp, and streetwise.
Speak Pidgin Today