Wakajugbe Ride-Hailing Vanishing Act in PH

In October 2024, Port Harcourt witnessed the highly publicised launch of Wakajugbe ride-hailing, a homegrown platform that promised to redefine transportation in Nigeria with an indigenous twist. The event had it all: big-name influencers as ambassadors, a hall packed with founders, tech enthusiasts, and media, plus a bold promise of affordable, zero-commission rides for drivers.

Yet, less than a year later, Wakajugbe has gone silent. The company’s last social media post was a generic “Happy New Year” on 2 January 2025. The silence is deafening for an app that positioned itself as a disruptor in Nigeria’s transport ecosystem.

The Wakajugbe team went all out during their unveiling. The event was marketed as a landmark in the Port Harcourt tech ecosystem. Influencers were flown in, banners were everywhere, and a promise rang loud: “Every Area Na Our Area.”

But the irony? Attendees didn’t even use Wakajugbe to get to the event. Instead, most booked rides on Bolt and Uber, an early red flag that their platform wasn’t ready for real users.

On paper, Wakajugbe had an appealing model:

• Zero Commission for Drivers: Instead of taking a percentage, drivers paid a flat ₦5,000 weekly subscription for unlimited rides.
• Affordable Rides for Passengers: The app claimed to offer budget-friendly options across major Nigerian cities.
• Cultural Identity: With its catchy slogan and local branding, Wakajugbe positioned itself as an indigenous alternative to global players.
• Technology Edge: The platform promised “cutting-edge mobile app” features, from quick bookings to language-friendly interfaces.
  

The pitch was simple: support local, pay less, and give drivers more freedom.

Fast forward 10 months, and there’s little evidence Wakajugbe is operational:

Reports suggest the app never really worked as intended. Drivers and riders complained of bugs, delays, and failed bookings.

With no visible traction or reviews, Wakajugbe has failed to penetrate even its home city, Port Harcourt.

The promise of “10,000+ happy users” showcased on their website looks more like a placeholder than reality.

Wakajugbe’s rise and stall underline a few hard truths about Nigeria’s mobility sector:

• Hype Can’t Replace Product: Launch events and influencer marketing can draw attention, but without a reliable app, users won’t stay.
• Execution Matters: Competing with Uber and Bolt requires more than slogans; it demands robust tech and consistent operations.
• Local Advantage Isn’t Enough: Being “indigenous” isn’t a strategy on its own; it needs to be backed by service quality.
  

For now, Wakajugbe’s future looks uncertain. The silence from its team raises questions: Was it a rushed launch? Did they run out of funds? Or was the product never viable to begin with?

One thing is clear: Port Harcourt deserves tech startups that not only launch with fanfare but also deliver on their promises. Wakajugbe may yet find a way back, but until then, it stands as a cautionary tale of how not to run a tech launch.