As Uber begins testing autonomous “Robotaxis” in London, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, GMD/CEO of Prima Garnet and Former Chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (now ARCON), says Nigeria must start planning now for the impact on transport, jobs, and cities.
In a terse statement made available to The Industry, he noted that in the initial phase, passengers will book rides via the Uber app but the vehicle will be driven by artificial intelligence, with a trained safety driver on board. If successful, fully driverless taxis will follow.
“If autonomous vehicles prove safer, more reliable and more economical than human-driven taxis, they could fundamentally change public transportation,” Mr. Akinwunmi said.
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“We could see fewer accidents from fatigue or distraction, lower operating costs, 24-hour availability, and better traffic management, issues that are critical for cities like Lagos and Abuja.”
But he warned the shift will disrupt livelihoods.
“Millions of professional drivers around the world may eventually have to rethink their careers. At the same time, new jobs will emerge in AI, robotics, fleet management and remote vehicle operations. Nigeria’s young, tech-savvy population can lead in these areas if we invest in skills and policy early.”
“AI is steadily moving from our computers and phones into the physical world. The Robotaxi is another reminder that the future is arriving faster than many of us imagined,” he added.
“The question is no longer whether AI will change our lives. It is how quickly we will adapt to the change.”
Mr. Akinwunmi is GMD/CEO of Prima Garnet and Former Chairman of APCON/ARCON. He has over three decades of experience in brand building, policy advocacy, and driving innovation in Nigeria’s marketing and communications industry.
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