A Dodge truck (license A5186; Olarewaju Bus Service) stands parked along a roadside in Southern Nigeria, circa 1940–1950.
Nicknamed Bolekaja—a Yoruba phrase meaning “Come down, let’s fight”—these trucks, though slow and often unreliable, remained a staple on Nigerian roads. Many bore inscriptions like “No Condition is Permanent,” reflecting the resilience of their operators. When breakdowns occurred, frustrated passengers would sometimes confront conductors over the lack of investment in newer, more efficient vehicles, leading to heated disputes and even physical altercations—hence the name Bolekaja.
Regional preferences in commercial vehicles also emerged:
In Southwest Nigeria, the Egbas favored Austin trucks, while the Ijebus leaned toward Bedford, both brands distributed by BEWAC (British Engineering West Africa Company) and its subsidiary, J. Allen.
The Easterners preferred Mercedes-Benz, with companies like Ojukwu Transport Service and Inyang Ette of Calabar dominating the movement of agricultural goods.
The North relied on Fiat Iveco trucks, though railway transport gave them a logistical advantage, enabling the movement of groundnuts, livestock, and other commodities across regions.
While road transport flourished in other parts of Nigeria, the railway network remained a key pillar for Northern commerce, benefiting communities along its path.
Source: MayowaBlades