Chowdeck CEO Femi Aluko has disclosed that delivery riders on the food delivery platform earn an average of N100,000 per week, potentially reaching N400,000 monthly before expenses, with top performers earning significantly more. Aluko made the revelation during an interview with Channels Television, where he discussed the company's delivery model and earning opportunities for riders.
How Rider Earnings Are Calculated
According to Aluko, the amount a rider takes home largely depends on activity, particularly the number of deliveries completed and the distance covered. He explained that the earning structure rewards riders who complete more orders and travel greater distances, with kilometres travelled factored into payments.
“Chowdeck riders earn an average of N100,000 per week while staying fit. The best ones are much higher than that,” Aluko said. He added, “It’s a game of numbers. The more delivery you do, the more you’re able to earn and cover distance and kilometres because they’re also paid by kilometres.”
Monthly Earnings Potential
The disclosure prompted the interviewer to calculate that a rider earning N100,000 every week could make roughly N400,000 in four weeks. The figure is notable in Nigeria, where many young graduates and entry-level workers struggle to secure jobs offering comparable monthly salaries, according to a report by Vanguard.
However, Aluko stressed that the headline figure should not be interpreted as pure take-home income. Riders also bear costs associated with carrying out deliveries, including maintaining their bicycles and other work-related expenses.
Costs Reduce Take-Home Pay
When the interviewer asked whether bicycle riders could actually make N100,000 in a week and about N400,000 monthly, Aluko confirmed the calculation but highlighted the costs involved. “That’s correct, yeah. Again, it also comes with its own cost, like you have to maintain your bicycles,” he said.
This means a rider’s net earnings could be lower after expenses are deducted. Aluko’s explanation also shows that earnings are not fixed salaries. Riders who complete more deliveries and travel longer distances have the potential to earn more, while those handling fewer orders may take home less, Punch reported.
Gig Economy Growth in Nigeria
The N100,000 weekly figure represents an average rather than a guaranteed payment for every rider. Still, the disclosure highlights the growing earning opportunities being created by Nigeria’s technology-driven delivery and gig economy, particularly for young people looking for alternatives to conventional salaried employment.
For riders who can maintain a high volume of deliveries, the platform could provide monthly gross earnings that compete with the salaries attached to some entry-level office jobs. But the final amount a rider keeps will depend on several factors, including delivery volume, distance travelled and the cost of keeping the equipment required for the job in working condition.
