The Rise of Motor Park Logistics in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the practice of sending parcels through commercial drivers at motor parks has become a well-established tradition within the transportation system. Known locally as ‘waybill’ or ‘message,’ this informal network is now reshaping how goods are moved across the country. Unlike conventional logistics firms like DHL, FedEx, and GIG, motor parks offer a more flexible and affordable system that connects senders, drivers, storage handlers, and motorcycle dispatch riders in a chain that ensures packages reach their destinations.
With rising fuel prices and the high cost of traditional logistics services, many Nigerians are turning to motor parks as a cheaper and more accessible alternative for sending packages. This shift has led to a significant increase in the volume of parcels being transported, with some vehicles now packed with goods rather than passengers.
At Jabi Motor Park in Abuja, it’s not uncommon to see fully loaded vehicles that are meant for transporting goods rather than people. From bags of clothes to live animals, drivers now move more goods than people. Parcels wrapped in nylon or sacks sealed with tape and marked with phone numbers compete for space with passengers, sometimes even taking over entire vehicles.
Weekend Trust findings show that many Nigerians are turning to commercial vehicle drivers at motor parks to send goods, citing lower costs and faster delivery despite the absence of formal tracking systems. At Jabi Motor Park, a booking agent named Musa Ali noted that the volume of parcels has grown so much that they often outweigh passenger traffic.
“We even collect waybills of animals. Some waybills can fill up a car, leaving no space for a single passenger,” he said. He added that some consignments are worth as much as N100,000, reflecting growing trust in the informal system rather than the formal logistic services many have come to know and patronise.
The Economic Impact of Parcel Delivery
For drivers and storekeepers at various motor parks, parcels have become a major source of income. Sani Musa, a driver at Utako Motor Park, confirmed the shift, noting that parcels have become a significant part of his earnings. “Sometimes I carry more parcels than passengers. The parcels pay well, and you can take many at once,” he said.
The charges for parcel delivery depend on the destination. A small parcel from Abuja to Lafia costs between N2,500 and N3,000, while delivery to Kaduna goes for N3,000. Bello Jamil, another driver, explained that the growing demand has changed how drivers operate. “Before now, we focused on passengers, but now, parcels are part of the business. For every trip, there is something in the boot: parcels,” he said.
At Jabi Motor Park, the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Adamu Abubakar, defended the system, saying it is faster and more affordable than conventional logistics services. “You cannot compare commercial vehicles with logistics companies,” he said. He explained that while logistics operators often wait days gathering enough deliveries before dispatching to various locations across the country to cut costs, vehicles at motor parks move immediately the vehicle is full.
Challenges and Risks
Despite the surge in parcel delivery, there are challenges and risks involved. At Nyanya Motor Park, another loader, Baba Isa, noted that while the system is fast, it comes with challenges. “Sometimes parcels are not properly labelled and it can be difficult to identify the owner. There are also cases where people delay picking up their items,” he said.
At Kano Line, Abdullahi Sani, who runs a small storage office, said the service had become essential. “Many vehicles arrive at night and some receivers cannot come until morning. We keep the packages for them and charge between N200 and N500, depending on the size. It is how we earn a living. People trust us because we make sure nothing is missing,” he explained.
However, there are also concerns about accountability. Haliru Sa’adu noted that the system relied heavily on trust. “If anything happens to your parcel, there is no official way to trace it. You just have to trust the driver,” he said. Similarly, Ihsan Umar Danjuma pointed out that the lack of tracking was a major gap. “It works, but there is no proper tracking system like logistics companies have,” he explained.
The Role of Dispatch Riders
Once packages arrive at their destination, motorcycle dispatch riders take over, delivering them directly to homes and offices. In Kano, Musa Ibrahim, who operates around motor parks in Kano city, said, “When vehicles arrive from Kano or Kaduna, we collect the packages and deliver them to the receiver’s house. Customers prefer this because they don’t have to come all the way to the park. Depending on the distance, we charge between N1,000 and N3,000. It is faster and saves them time.”
Musa added that the growing reliance on parks had boosted his income. “I used to depend on food delivery, but now, parcel delivery from parks is more regular. I deliver at least five packages daily,” he said.
The Future of Motor Park Logistics
Despite the challenges, the trend continues to grow, driven by cost and urgency. Kabir Salisu Ashir, a driver, said parcel delivery had become part of his everyday operations. “Every trip now involves parcels. People prefer it because it is easy, fast and affordable,” he said.
For senders, the choice is clear. Fatima Usman, a trader in Kano, said she switched from conventional logistics firms to motor parks because of affordability. “I sell cloths and shoes online. Before, I used DHL to send items to Abuja, but the cost was too high. Now, I use the park and pay less. My customers are happy because they get their goods quickly and at lower delivery charges,” she said.
Another sender, Ahmed Bello, who frequently sends documents to Bauchi, said the parks were more flexible. “With the logistics companies, you must go to their office and follow their process. At the park, I just hand over the envelope, pay and it goes immediately. It saves me time,” he also explained.
Conclusion
The rise of motor park logistics in Nigeria has created a new economic ecosystem that benefits drivers, storekeepers, and dispatch riders alike. While there are risks and challenges, the system continues to thrive due to its affordability, speed, and convenience. As the demand for parcel delivery grows, so too does the need for better organization, security, and accountability within this informal network.
