Enugu Governor removes Keke fees and pushes operating hours to 10pm

Fee abolition and later operating hours Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah announced on 17 October 2026 that the daily N750 charge previously required of commercial tricycle (commonly called Keke) operators would be abolished. The decision was made public during a gathering at Okpara Square in the state capital. In the same announcement, Mbah confirmed that the authorised operating window for Keke services would be lengthened, allowing drivers to remain on the road until 10pm.

Riders’ political endorsement Following the policy announcement, groups of Keke riders publicly expressed their backing for Governor Mbah. The riders also extended their endorsement to President Bola Tinubu, indicating a favourable view of the current administration’s approach to local transport matters. The endorsement was reported alongside the fee‑scrapping measure, suggesting that the operators linked the policy change to broader political support.

Impact on operators and passengers The removal of the N750 daily fee eliminates a recurring cost for Keke owners, potentially improving their profit margins. Extending the operating hours to 10pm gives drivers the ability to serve passengers later into the evening, which could increase revenue opportunities and improve mobility for residents who rely on Keke services after standard working hours. No specific data on the number of operators affected or projected economic outcomes were provided in the reports.

Context of the decision Prior to the announcement, Keke operators in Enugu were required to pay a daily ticket fee of N750, a charge that had been a point of contention among drivers. By eliminating this fee and extending operating hours, the state government appears to be responding to concerns raised by the transport community. The policy shift aligns with a broader pattern of state‑level interventions aimed at easing the financial burden on informal transport operators.

Reactions and next steps While the immediate reaction from Keke riders was supportive, the reports did not include statements from other stakeholders such as passenger groups, transport unions, or civil‑society organisations. The governor’s office has not detailed any accompanying measures, such as safety or traffic‑management plans, that might accompany the longer operating window. Future monitoring will be needed to assess how the fee removal and extended hours affect traffic flow, road safety, and the livelihoods of Keke operators.

The announcement marks a notable policy adjustment for Enugu’s informal transport sector, coupling financial relief for operators with a longer service window, and reflects a moment of political endorsement from the very users of the service.