Nigerian singer, filmmaker, and activist Dare Fasasi, better known as Baba Dee, has publicly criticized what he describes as systemic corruption and mismanagement in Nigeria's public transportation infrastructure. His remarks stem from a personal experience with the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) system, particularly the Blue Line, during a recent visit to Lagos.
Baba Dee, the older brother of the late musician Sound Sultan and a veteran dancehall artist with a history of social commentary, shared his frustrations in a detailed Instagram post. He explained that severe road traffic congestion forced him to abandon his car and opt for the train—a decision intended to promote public transport but which instead exposed him to operational shortcomings.
According to Baba Dee, one major issue was the unavailability of Cowrie cards—the contactless payment cards used for fare collection on the Lagos Blue and Red Lines—at multiple stations during December 2025, a peak travel period due to holiday commuting and year-end activities. "How does that even happen?" he questioned in his post, highlighting the poor planning that left passengers stranded or forced to seek alternatives.
The situation escalated at the Orile-Iganmu station (also referred to as Iganmu), where Baba Dee alleged that a train attendant was openly soliciting and receiving direct bank transfers into his personal account to permit passengers to board. Commuters, facing limited options and time constraints, reportedly complied with these unofficial payments. Baba Dee described this as "daylight robbery dressed up as public service," emphasizing that such practices erode public confidence in the system.
He warned that allowing staff to treat public infrastructure as a "personal cash machine" would inevitably lead to declining patronage and the collapse of the service. "You don’t sabotage a system and expect it to survive," he stated, calling for accountability to preserve investments in mass transit.
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit system, managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), represents a significant effort to address Lagos's notorious traffic congestion. The Blue Line, the first phase of which opened in September 2023, spans 13 kilometers from Marina to Mile 2 with five stations, including Iganmu. It uses electric multiple-unit trains and the Cowrie card system for fares, integrated with other modes like buses and ferries. The Red Line followed in 2024, and plans for additional lines continue, with new rolling stock expected in 2025 to increase capacity.
Despite these advancements, operational challenges persist. Previous reports have documented issues such as manual ticketing vulnerabilities, cash-only payments at some points, and concerns over revenue leakage due to limited digitization. Baba Dee's account aligns with broader criticisms of inefficiencies in public services, though no official response from LAMATA or the Lagos State Government to his specific allegations has been reported as of December 23, 2025.
Baba Dee, whose real name is Dare Fasasi, has a long career in music and film, including pioneering dancehall in Nigeria and co-founding Naija Ninjas with his late brother. He has frequently used his platform for activism, previously commenting on societal issues like poverty and accountability. This incident adds to ongoing discussions about governance and service delivery in Nigeria's megacity, where over 20 million residents rely on improving public transport amid rapid urbanization.
The allegations underscore the need for robust oversight, full digitization of payments, and staff training to prevent misuse. While the LRMT has transported millions of passengers since inception—contributing to reduced road congestion—incidents like this risk undermining public trust. Commuters and advocates have echoed similar concerns in the past, calling for transparent fare collection and reliable card availability.
As Lagos pushes forward with rail expansion, including potential Green and Purple Lines, addressing grassroots issues like card stockouts and unofficial payments will be crucial for sustainability. Baba Dee's post has sparked online conversations about the gap between infrastructure development and effective management.
