Nigerian Woman Left Speechless as Bolt App Demands Over N1 Million for Routine Lagos Journey
A Nigerian mother, Priscilla Yakwagh, experienced a shocking financial surprise when the Bolt ride-hailing application demanded she pay more than one million naira for what should have been a routine trip within Lagos State. The astonishing incident occurred when she booked transportation from Ajah to Chevron, a journey that typically costs between six thousand and seven thousand naira.
From Lagos to Hungary: The Astonishing System Error
According to Priscilla's detailed Facebook account, the extraordinary billing error occurred because the Bolt system incorrectly registered her destination as Hungary rather than Chevron in Lagos. This geographical confusion resulted in the application generating an invoice exceeding one million naira for what should have been a short urban commute.
The system even specified that the payment should be made in cash, adding another layer of absurdity to the situation. Priscilla expressed her disbelief in her social media post, questioning where she would obtain such a substantial amount for a simple Bolt ride and humorously wondering if the journey was destined for heaven rather than Hungary.
Social Media Reactions to the Bizarre Incident
The unusual story quickly captured public attention, with numerous social media users offering humorous and incredulous responses to the situation:
- Ileh Osahon Joseph commented: "Congratulations on your trip to Hungary. Please visit Abuja when you return to Nigeria."
- Mubarak Adamu speculated: "The driver must have accompanied you to Hungary since who would book his return trip?"
- Isaac Ihoon humorously noted: "With the current hunger situation in Nigeria, you chose to go to Hungary? Suffering indeed doesn't tire you."
- Dre Abovelimits declared: "They must take me to that Hungary too, otherwise the police will arrest everyone."
Several commenters expressed concern about the financial implications for the driver, with Oluwa Seun Funmi calculating that the driver would owe Bolt approximately 268,000 naira in commission from the erroneous million-naira fare.
Broader Context of Ride-Hailing Experiences in Nigeria
This incident follows other notable stories involving Bolt services in Nigeria. Recently, a lawyer shared an unexpected menu offered by a Bolt driver that included various ride experiences such as silent ride, angry bird, DJ rider, and therapist options. The creative driver even provided sweets and hand sanitizer as part of the service.
Another recent incident involved a woman who mistakenly entered a man's Range Rover, believing it was her booked Bolt ride. These stories collectively highlight the varied and sometimes unpredictable nature of ride-hailing experiences in Nigeria's urban centers.
While Bolt eventually identified the million-naira charge as a system error, the incident raises important questions about technological reliability and consumer protection in Nigeria's growing digital transportation sector. As ride-hailing services become increasingly integrated into daily urban mobility, such errors underscore the need for robust verification systems and transparent billing practices.
