Memoirs of a Lagos Taxi Driver is all about the madness of Lagos, but this time, as observed from behind a steering wheel.
What could go wrong? Everything. And that is precisely why you should read this.
In Memoirs of a Lagos Taxi Driver, Tolulope Popoola gives us a front-row seat to the unpredictable circus that is Lagos, through the eyes of Ladi, a sharp-witted, world-weary taxi driver with years of city survival under his belt.
The book, part of Popoola’s Lagos Flash Fiction Series, is a collection of short, punchy stories that document Ladi’s encounters with a wide range of passengers, from the absurd to the heartbreaking, the comical to the bizarre.
With each ride, we see a new character and scenario: the desperate man with a mysterious suitcase, the preacher on a spiritual mission, the woman claiming to see spirits in the backseat, a ghost passenger, and even a stranded IJGB (I Just Got Back) seeking Lagos authenticity.
No two rides are the same, and that’s the beauty of it.
The stories in this collection are noticeably shorter than those in Memoirs of a Lagos Junior Banker and Memoirs of a Lagos Baker.
There’s no time wasted on elaborate build-up; each chapter dives right into the story’s heart and leaves you blinking after the final line. The writing is infused with Lagos street lingo, cultural references, and that biting, familiar humour that makes even the absurd feel believable.
The author’s writing presents the stories as raw, chaotic, and alive as their characters. It’s as fast-paced as the city itself, along with its messiness, loudness, and many potholes. But beneath that hustle, there’s rhythm. You can almost hear the horns, feel the sweltering heat, and smell the roasted corn on the roadside.
At first glance, the book is hilarious and lighthearted. But, behind the veneer, there are several serious themes.
There’s a strong undercurrent of survival. Ladi, like many Lagosians, lives on the edge, managing crisis after crisis, always just one trip away from disaster or deliverance.
We also see masculinity and how Ladi, a man shaped by the city, battles pride, shame, loneliness, and pressure without ever fully acknowledging them.
Another major theme is class. Through Ladi’s windshield, we glimpse the full spectrum of Lagos society: from struggling students and broke passengers dodging fares to billionaires’ daughters and big men who see taxi drivers as invisible.
And still, they all sit in the same seat, vulnerable for a brief moment, as Ladi drives them through the chaos.
Memoirs of a Lagos Taxi Driver is a street-smart, culturally rich, and deeply entertaining collection of short stories that hum with brilliance.
Through Ladi, Popoola holds up a mirror to Lagos and dares you to laugh, wince, and reflect.
This book documents everyday Lagos, a city where the absurd is routine and the streets are brimming with stories.
Just be warned. After reading, you may never see a Lagos taxi the same way again.
