By Temitope Adebayo
The idea of a car driving itself without a human behind the wheel still feels like science fiction to many Nigerians. On roads like the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway or in Lagos traffic, it sounds impossible. Yet, across the world, autonomous or self-driving cars are already in use.
Automakers such as Tesla, Google’s Waymo, Audi, BMW, and Ford are testing vehicles that operate with little or no human input. These cars use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, lidar, and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect their environment and make decisions in real time.
Globally, the technology promises safer roads, smoother traffic flow, and more independence for elderly and disabled people. But Nigeria faces unique challenges before adoption. Poor infrastructure, limited 5G connectivity, and the high cost of vehicles remain major barriers. Public trust is also low, as many Nigerians may be reluctant to board a driverless car.
Dr. Michael Ajayi, a transport researcher, told Daily Times:
“Nigeria is still far from adopting self-driving technology. Our roads are not ready, and our systems are not digitized. In the next decade, we may begin to see pilot projects in controlled environments like estates or company fleets.”
While some experts see opportunity, drivers in Nigeria remain concerned about job losses. “If these cars come, people like us will lose our daily bread,” said Mr. Sikiru Adedeji, a Lagos commercial driver.
For now, the prospect of a driverless BRT bus on Ikorodu Road or an autonomous truck delivering cement from Dangote factories is still far away. But as the world moves towards smarter mobility, Nigeria may eventually catch up just as it did with mobile phones and ride-hailing apps.
