New Bill will require ‘Okada’ riders to register as commercial business with an Association – Transport Minister

The Ministry states that while the legalization of the ‘Okada’ business is intended to create employment opportunities for young people, the new framework comes with stricter safety measures to protect both riders and passengers.

“We want to caution that it is not yet law till the President finalize it. We also want to state that in the bill, it has a lot of procedures that you have to follow, especially the motor riders who are going to get the opportunity to be engaged in this commercial business.

“You have to register as a commercial motor rider that will do commercial business and you will have to belong to a union, you also have to have the standard that DVLA will set for you in terms of the protective gear, the helmet, the kind of motor bike you will have to use and so there are processes that you have to go through before they can engage.

“And again, I stated that in the bill we have a lot of strict punishment in it for such people and so it is creating job opportunities for you, you will also have to also work to live long to take advantage of such opportunity,” he stated.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, December 12, 2025 Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari explained that requiring commercial riders to belong to an association will make it easier for authorities to identify and sanction offenders who flout road traffic regulations.

“Now, that we are going to have a legal framework to control the activities of those riders, it is our believe that it will bring discipline and sanity and we will have a more respected ‘Okada’ business in our country.

“It is again noticed that because they did not have any union, any motor bike that is involved in any accident or bad activity on the roads, they run away and you can’t even trace them so even their number plates and associations will be able to fish them out should you commit into any offences on our roads,” he added.