Ride-hailing company Bolt has reaffirmed its commitment to passenger and driver safety by hosting the Bolt Public Safety Summit in Lagos, bringing together a broad range of stakeholders to address security and accountability in Nigeria’s growing urban mobility sector. The event, which took place yesterday following a Safety Press Briefing at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, marked a key milestone in Bolt’s efforts to elevate safety standards across its platform.
The summit followed the success of Bolt’s Global Safety Campaign in December 2024 and served as a continuation of its strategy to involve the public in co-creating a safer transportation ecosystem. The gathering included participants from government agencies, law enforcement bodies, civil society groups, the media, and Bolt riders, with a central focus on open dialogue around safety expectations and responsibilities.
Speaking at the event, General Manager of Bolt Nigeria, Osi Oguah, emphasised the platform’s mission to make safety an integral part of its operations. According to him, “At Bolt, safety is not just a feature, it’s fundamental to the service we provide. We are consistently investing in tools and partnerships that prioritise the well-being of our users. The Public Safety Summit represents a major step forward in how we engage with our riders. It will be a rider-first platform to listen, learn, and collaborate on new ways to make our services even safer and more responsive.”
Bolt used the platform to share key safety milestones achieved in recent months. The company reported a 42 per cent reduction in offline trips over the last three months, suggesting an increased reliance by users on Bolt’s in-app safety tools. There was also a remarkable 298 per cent growth in the use of the Trusted Contacts feature, with users increasing from 7,839 in January to 31,216 by June 2025.
Additionally, Bolt’s Pick-Up Code feature, which allows riders to verify drivers before starting a trip, is gaining popularity, with 5,568 Nigerian riders now using the feature regularly.
The event featured panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities where participants discussed long-term strategies to tackle ride-hailing security challenges. Safety experts and policymakers also gave input on regulations, platform integrity, and public education.
Bolt said the summit forms part of its community-driven innovation agenda, which includes regular engagement with platform users and continuous refinement of its technology to reflect rider and driver feedback. By creating opportunities for riders to voice their safety concerns and experiences, the company hopes to build more trust and accountability on its platform.
“We are building not just a tech-driven platform, but a people-driven ecosystem,” Bolt said in a statement. “We believe that improving safety must be a collaborative effort between companies, riders, drivers, and regulators.”
The summit also aligns with Bolt’s broader vision to raise the bar for ride-hailing safety in Africa. With operations in multiple African countries, the company aims to set the pace for others in the industry by making safety innovation a top priority. As urban transport grows more complex with increasing demand, Bolt believes a safe and efficient system can only be achieved through partnership and transparency.
Stakeholders at the summit commended Bolt for its proactive approach to security, noting that public participation in platform development is crucial in tackling the challenges of digital transportation. The inclusion of riders and drivers in the safety conversation, many agreed, will foster mutual understanding and shared responsibility.
Bolt also revealed that similar forums will be hosted in other Nigerian cities in the coming months, as part of its nationwide rider engagement and safety education plan. The platform says it remains focused on building an inclusive and secure environment for everyone who uses its services, from daily commuters to partner drivers.
As ride-hailing continues to evolve in Nigeria’s tech and transport landscape, the safety summit marks an important step toward trust-building, service improvement, and responsive urban mobility.
