Keke-Maruwa Fridge Magnet

The Story Behind the Keke-Marwa: A Symbol of Lagos Hustle and Heart

The Keke-Marwa is more than just a three-wheeled vehicle. It’s a cultural icon and lifeline of daily movement in the bustling heart of Lagos. Zipping through traffic with agility and character, this bright yellow tricycle is a symbol of resilience, ingenuity, and the vibrant spirit of urban Nigeria. Its unmistakable hum and zig-zag dance through narrow streets have become a defining rhythm of life in Africa’s most dynamic city.

But how did it come to be called Keke-Marwa?

The name has both historical and political roots. In the late 1990s, Lagos was choking under the weight of chaotic traffic, rising unemployment, and a public transport system that couldn’t meet the needs of its growing population. Enter Colonel Buba Marwa, the then military administrator of Lagos State (1996–1999), who introduced the motorized tricycle as an affordable, efficient, and compact alternative to taxis and minibuses.

The tricycle itself wasn’t new; it had long been used in other parts of Asia and Africa, but Marwa’s administration formalized its use for public transport in Lagos, offering job opportunities and easing movement for low-income residents. The people, with characteristic Nigerian flair, quickly gave the vehicle a nickname that fused its structure (Keke, meaning “bicycle” or “small vehicle” in Yoruba and Hausa) with the surname of the man who made it popular: Keke-Marwa.

Today, the Keke-Marwa is woven into the cultural fabric of Lagos life. It’s the vehicle of the everyman, the trader, the student, the artisan, the commuter. It represents more than transport; it reflects the hustle, adaptability, and creativity of Lagosians navigating a city of endless motion.

This humble fridge magnet is a miniature tribute to the living, moving poetry of Lagos streets. Whether you’ve ridden in one, chased one, or simply admired their flair from afar, the Keke-Marwa invites you to take a little piece of Lagos with you, bright, bold, and always moving forward.