/moʊˈluːeɪ/
Definition:
MOLUE refers to a type of large commercial bus that was a dominant mode of public transportation in Lagos, Nigeria, from the 1970s through the 1990s. These buses, often yellow with black stripes, were typically overcrowded, noisy, and chaotic, yet they served as a lifeline for the working class commuting between distant parts of the city.
A “MOLUE” could carry as many as 40 seated and 60 standing passengers, all crammed together in what many considered a mobile market, comedy club, and political forum. Conductors, also known as “Agbero,” shouted destinations in loud voices while squeezing in as many passengers as possible.
In Pidgin: “I enter MOLUE this morning, the kain squeeze wey I see no be here.”
Despite their ruggedness, “MOLUE” buses were deeply rooted in Lagos urban culture, often seen as a symbol of Lagosians’ resilience, hustle, and community spirit. Though mostly phased out due to government regulations, the word “MOLUE” still evokes strong nostalgic feelings among Nigerians who lived through its golden age.
Listen to how MOLUE is pronounced in this short video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “Dem thief my phone inside MOLUE yesterday!”
- Formal: “The MOLUE buses were gradually phased out due to safety concerns.”
- Idiomatic: “You dey behave like MOLUE — always overcrowded with wahala!”
Cultural Context:
Origin:
The word “MOLUE” is believed to have evolved from the English phrase “Morning Line” — a term supposedly used to describe early-morning buses lining up to pick commuters. Over time, this was phonetically adapted in the Nigerian context into “MOLUE.”
These buses were originally modified Mercedes Benz 911 trucks with wooden or metal bodies built for heavy-duty transport. Local mechanics and fabricators turned these trucks into people-movers, expanding seating capacity and adding loud horns, roof racks, and even Christian or humorous slogans like “God Dey” or “No Food for Lazy Man.”
The “MOLUE” became a symbol of mass urban mobility in Lagos, especially during the oil boom era and into the 1980s. It played a major role in helping Nigeria’s economic engine — Lagos — run. Writers, musicians, and filmmakers frequently referenced the Molue as a metaphor for disorder, survival, or collective resilience.
Though phased out due to regulatory and safety concerns, the “MOLUE” lives on in popular culture, Nollywood films, music lyrics, and street art.
Regional Usage:
The “MOLUE” was mostly used in Lagos, particularly in inner-city routes like Ojuelegba, Oshodi, Yaba, CMS, Apapa, and Mile 2. Its popularity spread among low- and middle-income earners who needed a cheap means of getting to work and back home daily.
Outside Lagos, the word “MOLUE” is recognized nationwide as a symbol of Lagos life. In places like Ibadan or Port Harcourt, while such buses may not have existed in the same form, the term “MOLUE” still conjures imagery of a crowded, noisy, and vibrant mode of transportation.
With time, Lagos State began introducing regulated transit systems like BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) to replace the unregulated chaos of “MOLUE.” However, “MOLUE” still remains a cultural icon, often referenced to describe congestion, chaos, or nostalgia.
In pop culture and everyday speech, phrases like “Your bag big pass MOLUE” or “E carry crowd like MOLUE” still make the rounds, emphasizing how embedded the term is in Nigerian expression.
Let’s hear your own MOLUE experience! Drop your sentences using the word “MOLUE” in the comments