Taxi Driver Janet Odeh Breaks Stereotypes Behind the Wheel

When Janet Odeh accepted her first ride as a driver-partner, her hands were shaking.

“I was honestly very nervous,” she recalls with a laugh. “My hands were shaky, but I was also excited.”

The passenger that day sensed her anxiety. After she told him it was her first trip, he encouraged her to relax and assured her she would do fine.

“That moment stayed with me,” she says. “After completing that trip successfully, I felt proud of myself. It gave me confidence.”

Today, Janet drives across the city daily, transporting passengers and challenging long-standing assumptions about who belongs behind the wheel in Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry.

But for Janet, the job represents far more than mobility. It is about independence, resilience and building a better life for her son.

From office work to the driver’s seat

Before becoming a driver-partner, Janet worked as an administrative assistant at Mothergold Consulting. Like many Nigerians navigating a difficult economic landscape, she eventually found herself searching for a more sustainable path.

After separating from her son’s father, Janet needed work that would allow her to support her family while still having time for her child. She briefly worked as a hairstylist in a salon, but the income was inconsistent.

Ride-hailing offered something she hadn’t found elsewhere: flexibility and control.

“I wanted something that would allow me to earn while still having time for my family,” she says. “I also wanted independence and the ability to control how much I could make.”

The decision surprised some people around her.

“Some people were surprised at first because it’s still uncommon to see women driving commercially,” Janet says. “But once they saw how serious I was about it, they became supportive.”

Her biggest motivation, however, remained close to home.

“My family has been my biggest support system,” she says.

Finding confidence on the road

Driving professionally has transformed more than just Janet’s finances. It has also reshaped how she sees herself.

“Financially, it has helped me stay stable and support my family,” she explains. “But personally, it has built my confidence.”

Every day brings new passengers and unpredictable situations, forcing her to develop patience, resilience and emotional intelligence.

“You learn how to deal with different kinds of people and stay calm under pressure,” she says.

Small moments of validation also make the experience worthwhile.

“Whenever passengers compliment my driving or professionalism, it makes me proud,” she says. “It reminds me that I’m doing something right.”

A moment that revealed something bigger

One ride in particular changed how Janet thinks about her role as a female driver.

A woman who booked a ride with her seemed immediately relieved when she got into the car.

“She told me she felt very comfortable because I was a female driver,” Janet says. “That meant a lot to me.”

For some riders, particularly women, the presence of a female driver can provide an added sense of safety.

Moments like that have made Janet realise that her presence on the road represents something larger than just another ride.

“It shows that women can succeed anywhere,” she says.

Setting an example at home

Back home, Janet's biggest supporter may also be her smallest.

“My son already knows what I do,” she says with a smile. “If you ask him, he’ll proudly say his mum is a taxi driver.”

For Janet, that sense of pride is important. She hopes her work will teach him that ambition should not be limited by gender expectations.

“I want him to see that women can work hard and stand on their own,” she says. “No job should be seen as only for men.”

A road to bigger dreams

The journey has not been without challenges. Some passengers have questioned her decisions, including one incident where a rider became angry after Janet refused to enter a gated compound due to security concerns.

But experiences like that have only strengthened her resolve.

Driving has also brought her closer to another personal milestone: ownership.

“One achievement I’m proud of is that I’m currently paying toward owning the car I drive,” she says. “Even though it’s not perfect, it represents progress for me.”

For Janet, the road ahead is still unfolding.

“This work has given me the courage to dream bigger,” she says.

And for women considering unconventional career paths, she has a simple message.

“Don’t limit yourself,” Janet says. “If you want to try something, go for it. Confidence comes with experience.”

Her own journey, she says, can be summed up in a single sentence:

“It has made me more confident, stronger and more determined about my future.”

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Source: Legit.ng