The busy streets of Maiduguri has the tricycle as its major source of transportation. The business is predominantly dominated by male riders, however, one woman stands out.
Rita Nwosu, 35, is believed to be the only female Kekenapep rider in the city.
Better known as Madam Keke within Maimalari in Maiduguri, Rita, has quietly carved a niche for herself in a transport sector long dominated by the men.
” Through patience and consistency, I earned the trust of passengers and building a livelihood against strong social and cultural barriers’. She stated.
An Igbo woman from Imo State, Rita, a mother of three serves as chairperson of Kekenapep riders within the barracks, a rare leadership position for a woman in this profession.
” Before joining the transport sector, I tried several ways to earn a living. As an O-level holder, I worked as a supermarket attendant and ran a small food business in Lagos. In 2016, I relocated to Maiduguri, a move that significantly changed my social and economic life”, Rita recounted with emotions.
In 2022, the weight of family responsibilities coupled with economic realities and repeated business setbacks led her to explore Kekenapep riding, a choice that defied local customs.”With my husband’s support, including a bank loan, I purchased a second hand tricycle for ₦290,000.
“I didn’t even know how to ride at first,” Rita shared. “A mechanic taught me, and slowly, I started to feel more confident.”
“The first week was really tough, I was sore all over from the long hours and the rough roads.” There was a moment when I thought about giving up, but the encouragement from my family pushed me through”, Rita recalled.
Rita primarily operates within Maimalari Barracks and along the Baga Road to Tashan Kano route — a very busy and rowdy streets in Maidugri. Over time, her steady rider and reliability have won her a loyal customer base. Some passengers even reach out to her for urgent trips or hospital runs late at night, a testament to the trust she has built.
However, struggling work and family life remains a daily struggle. Working and from Monday to Saturday, ensuring they get to school.
Like many women in male-dominated informal sectors, Rita faces challenges that go beyond just road safety. She recalls instances of harassment both physical and emotional, an bully experiences that she finds deeply humiliating. “People laugh at me and say this job is not for women, I should go home,” she said. “They make you feel like you don’t belong.”
According to Deborah Iliya, Gender Based Violence (GBV) officer at the Ministry of Woman affairs and social development in Maiduguri, explains ” women working in male-dominated informal transport often endure verbal harassment, physical threats, psychological abuse and sexual harassment issues that have become so normalized that they rarely get reported”
Deborah, advices working in male-dominated environment must take precautions like teaming up with a buddy, wearing visible safety gear, using mobile apps, setting clear boundaries, documenting incidents and being aware of high-risk routes”
“Safety can’t just be the responsibility of women,” she emphasizes. “We need policies that recognize informal transport workers, raise community awareness, improve infrastructure and ensure active support from employers and unions.” Deborah advocates.
Although there are services available like case management, medical care, psychosocial support, security and legal assistance, access to these resources is still quite limited. Deborah stresses the urgent need for emergency helplines, transport-specific shelters, economic safety nets, systematic tracking of GBV incidents and bystander intervention training for male riders and passengers to help change the workplace culture” she stated.
Rita registered her tricycle with the Borno State Transport Management Agency (BOTMA) a step she believes provides some legal protection in an otherwise unregulated industry. “Registration is more than just a formality, it’s a shield against harassment and intimidation,” she explains.
Despite the hurdles, ” my profession has earned me respect from both fellow riders and passengers”. She said.
A regular male passenger, who requested anonymity remarked, “At first, I was surprised to see a woman driving a Kekenapep. Now, I always choose her. She’s reliable, polite and makes passengers feel safe.”
A female passenger, who also asked not to be named described Rita as an inspiration.
“What she’s doing is incredibly brave,” she said. “I’d love to try it, but I’m worried about what people might think. It’s not easy for women in this line of work.”
Rita’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by women in informal jobs that are often dominated by men. In these environments, weak regulations and power imbalances can leave them vulnerable to harassment and abuse. “Women should not be silenced by intimidation,” Rita passionately stated.
Her experience is a reflection of a larger issue that resonates globally even with United Nations Resolution that posits “Every woman and every girl has the right to a life free of violence.”
” In the future, I would love to return to my food business and expand into produce trading” Rita stated with hope.
Rita has put many efforts ” Despite the challenges I face with the tricycle, I do not want my over years struggle to go just like that”
Rita now looks for support and soft loan through hire purchase to replace her old tricycle. “It is frequently faulty’ Rita stated”
For Rita, riding a tricycle Kekenapep is not just about making a living, it’s a quiet yet powerful stand against the discrimination and obstacles that still hinder women’s economic opportunities in Maiduguri due to social norms.
