/ˈmaː.ruː.wa/
Definition:
MARUWA is a nickname used in Nigerian Pidgin English, especially in Lagos and other southwestern parts of Nigeria, to refer to a motorized tricycle taxi. This three-wheeled vehicle, also called a keke napep, is a common and affordable means of transport for short distances within cities and towns.
“MARUWAs” are preferred in densely populated areas for their maneuverability in traffic and ability to access narrow inner streets. They are typically used for commercial transport, ferrying passengers and light goods across town. Known for their affordability and ubiquity, “MARUWAs” have become symbolic of urban Nigerian life.
In street language, someone might say: “Omo, I no fit waka reach, I go just enter MARUWA go house.” (I can’t walk all the way, I’ll just take a tricycle home.)
The term also sometimes refers to the operators themselves or the style of commuting. Despite regulatory concerns in some urban centers, “MARUWAs” remain essential to the public transportation ecosystem in Nigeria.
Listen to how MARUWA is pronounced in this short video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “Make we enter MARUWA, e fast pass Okada for this area.””
- Formal: “The introduction of motorized tricycles, popularly known as MARUWA, has eased inner-city transportation.”
- Idiomatic: “If money no dey for Uber, MARUWA still dey for back-up.”
Cultural Context:
Origin:
The word “MARUWA” is believed to have originated from the surname of Buba Marwa, a former military administrator of Lagos State (1996–1999). During his tenure, he introduced numerous urban development reforms, one of which was the promotion of safer, structured alternatives to commercial motorcycles, known as “Okadas.”
To reduce the number of accidents and improve public safety, tricycles were introduced and popularized. Over time, these tricycles came to be colloquially referred to as “MARUWA” in tribute to Buba Marwa’s influence on urban transport policy. The name stuck, especially in Lagos, and is now used generically for all commercial tricycles.
Interestingly, this local naming pattern mirrors other Nigerian transport nicknames like “Molue“ and “Danfo” that originated from vehicle types or historical contexts. Today, even younger generations who never experienced the Marwa administration use the term without necessarily knowing its origin.
Regional Usage:
While “MARUWA” is commonly used in Lagos and surrounding southwestern states, the vehicle it represents is known by various names across Nigeria. In the north, it’s simply called “Keke” or “Adaidaita Sahu” in Hausa. In southeastern Nigeria, it’s more often referred to as “Keke Napep”, a name derived from the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), which promoted the use of tricycles for empowerment and youth employment in the early 2000s.
However, in Lagos and much of the southwest, “MARUWA” is the dominant street term. Riders and passengers alike use it colloquially: “Driver, abeg stop for junction, I wan drop from MARUWA.”
The term has been normalized in urban pop culture, movies, and music, making it more than just a name—it’s part of daily life and social identity.
How many times you don enter MARUWA this week? Use “MARUWA” in your sentence and drop am for comment section.