Banji Adewale was born in a small village in Osun State, Nigeria, and was the youngest of three children. Raised by his mother, Mama Iyabo, after his father’s passing, Banji learned the values of hard work and resilience early in life. Mama Iyabo, a fish trader, worked tirelessly to support the family, and Banji understood that he had to do whatever it took to help his family survive.
At 19, Banji decided it was time to seek better opportunities, so he left his village for Lagos—the city of dreams. With only a small bag of clothes and his mother’s prayers, Banji arrived in Lagos, full of hope. But the city was tougher than he imagined. For weeks, he did odd jobs—cleaning at the local market, assisting at a mechanic’s shop, and even carrying loads for traders at Oshodi. At night, he slept on the floor of a church, his few belongings tucked under his head.
One afternoon, Banji met Chike, a fellow hustler from the East. Chike had been in Lagos for a few years and quickly became Banji’s friend. “Banji, my brother,” Chike would say, “Lagos is like an ocean. You must learn to swim or risk drowning.” Chike’s words stuck with Banji, and he continued working, saving every naira he could in the hope of achieving his dream of becoming an independent taxi driver.
One rainy day, Banji’s luck took a turn. While selling sachet water in a traffic jam, he noticed an elderly man struggling to start his taxi. Banji approached the man and offered his help. The man, Mr. Salisu, was a veteran taxi driver. Banji quickly fixed the problem, and Mr. Salisu invited him for tea. Banji shared his dream of owning a taxi, and moved by his honesty and determination, Mr. Salisu offered him a chance to drive his spare taxi. “If you’re serious, you can drive it for me, and I’ll teach you everything you need to know,” Mr. Salisu said.
Grateful, Banji accepted the offer. Under Mr. Salisu’s guidance, Banji learned the intricacies of driving in Lagos—the shortcuts, the busy routes, and how to navigate the infamous traffic jams. Within a few months, he earned a reputation for his polite demeanor, honesty, and warm smile. Banji quickly made a name for himself among passengers, who admired his calm nature and willingness to help.
Among his regular passengers was Mama Kemi, a market woman who traveled daily from Ikeja to Balogun Market. “Banji, you have the patience of an angel,” she would often say, recommending him to her friends and fellow traders. Soon, Banji had built a network of regular customers who trusted him.
One day, he picked up a young university student, Amaka, who was late for her lectures. In her rush, Amaka left her purse in Banji’s taxi, filled with money for her tuition. When she realized it, she was devastated, thinking she’d never see it again. To her surprise, Banji drove all the way back to her house the next morning to return the purse, untouched. “How can I repay you?” she asked, teary-eyed. Banji smiled and said, “Just pray for me, that one day I will have my own taxi.”
Banji continued working hard, saving every penny. Then, one day, he had an encounter that would change his life again. While driving a passenger named Mr. Williams, a businessman running late for a flight, Banji’s quick thinking and skillful driving helped him catch his flight just in time. Grateful, Mr. Williams gave Banji a generous tip and offered him a job in his logistics company.
But Banji declined. He explained his dream of owning his own taxi, and Mr. Williams, impressed by his determination, gave him his number and said, “If you ever need help, call me.” With his savings and a leap of faith, Banji bought a used taxi—a small, beaten-up yellow car. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
Owning a taxi came with its own set of challenges. The car frequently broke down, and Banji faced difficult passengers and bad weather. One night, his taxi stalled in the middle of Third Mainland Bridge. Stranded, he felt a wave of despair but remembered his mother’s words: “A good man never gives up.” Just then, Chike, his old friend, happened to pass by in a company truck. “Banji! Is that you?” Chike exclaimed. With Chike’s help, Banji managed to tow the taxi to a mechanic.
Despite the setbacks, Banji became known as “The Angel of Lagos Roads.” He went out of his way to help passengers. One day, he picked up Mrs. Adekunle, whose husband was seriously ill. Banji offered words of comfort during their journey, and by the time they reached the hospital, Mrs. Adekunle felt a sense of peace. She later shared his contact with others, saying, “If you need a kind driver who will listen, call Banji.”
But Banji’s journey was far from smooth. One day, his taxi finally broke down beyond repair. He felt like giving up, but then his phone rang—it was Mr. Williams, the passenger who had caught his flight thanks to Banji. “I’ve been looking for you, Banji! I got the job, and I manage a fleet of vehicles. We need honest drivers like you,” Mr. Williams said.
Banji accepted the offer. The new job provided a steady income and gave him the opportunity to manage a small fleet of vehicles. He continued driving occasionally, not because he had to, but because he loved meeting new people and hearing their stories.
Today, Banji is a respected figure in Lagos’ transport industry. His story is one of perseverance, kindness, and unwavering faith. From sleeping on the streets to managing a fleet of vehicles, Banji’s journey serves as an inspiration to many who come to Lagos with dreams in their hearts. He often tells young drivers, “If I can make it, so can you. Never stop believing in your dreams, even on the busiest roads.”