Government Supports GIGM's Move into Digital Travel Services

The Federal Government has praised GIG Mobility Group’s (GIGM) growth into digital travel services. It has urged the company to focus on providing reliable services as it expands from interstate transport into travel booking and premium vehicle hire.

The government said digital mobility solutions should make travel easier. They must also ensure dependable services and protect customers who use technology to plan their trips.

The Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olufunso Adebiyi, was represented by Usman Abubakar, the Deputy Director of Road and Mass Transit. He made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of PASS by GIGM and hireX by GIGM.

Mr Adebiyi said the ministry is open to working with GIGM. He described the new platforms as innovative and capable of improving transportation and travel services.

He also expressed hope that these new services would benefit Nigerians and wished the company success in its expansion.

Joseph Osanipin, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), said the launch marks the start of the work needed to keep the services going. He warned that the company must meet customer expectations as demand increases.

“After we have launched today, the real work is going to start. Many customers will come in and demand this service. We have to be up to it,” he said.

Mr Osanipin stressed that trust, reliability, and good customer service are key to the success of digital mobility platforms. This is especially true when customers need to share personal information and make payments before traveling.

He added that innovation must tackle real problems and provide solutions through technology in easy and effective ways.

GIG Mobility Group is a Nigerian transport and technology firm. It started in 1998 as God Is Good Motors, offering interstate passenger transport.

Founded by Edwin and Stella Ajaere in Benin City, the company began operations between Benin City and Lagos before expanding to other Nigerian cities.

After Edwin Ajaere passed away, his son, Chidi Ajaere, took over and helped grow the company and adopt technology in transport services.

The company changed its name from God Is Good Motors to GIG Mobility in 2019 to reflect its growth beyond regular passenger transport.

It has also expanded into Ghana, where it offers transport services, including routes between Accra and Kumasi.

GIGM has introduced digital booking and transport management systems, allowing customers to book interstate trips online instead of relying only on physical terminals.

The company claims it operates more than 40 terminals across Nigeria and Ghana. Its Chief Executive Officer, Enahoro Okhae, said the Gwagwalada terminal, opened on Tuesday, is the company's 40th terminal in West Africa.

The new platforms aim to broaden GIGM’s services beyond traditional interstate bus transportation to include other mobility and travel aspects.

PASS by GIGM is a travel and tours platform. It combines flight bookings, hotel reservations, airport pickups, curated tours, and interstate bus ticketing. This allows customers to manage different parts of their journey through one digital channel.

hireX by GIGM is a vehicle-hire marketplace offering chauffeur-driven cars for hourly, daily, and one-way bookings. This service is for airport transfers, business trips, events, and other journeys requiring hired vehicles.

According to the company, its Abuja fleet will include vehicles owned by GIGM and those from partner providers.

These platforms are part of the company’s plan to create a mobility ecosystem linking transport with travel and related services.

Mr Okhae explained that the expansion responds to changing customer expectations, especially demands for convenience, speed, digital access, and simpler travel arrangements.

He said GIGM has been known for moving passengers between states but is now looking to provide services for other parts of their journeys.

“Strong companies evolve. Strong companies listen. Strong companies learn. They adapt. They invest,” he said.

Mr Okhae added that the company wants to respond to the needs of people moving across Africa for business, education, family, tourism, and other opportunities.

He noted that GIGM’s expansion comes from the belief that customers want connected services instead of separate transportation options.

“The future belongs to connected solutions, not isolated services,” he said.

He said the company is building a system that allows customers to access different services and organize their trips.

Mr Okhae added that Abuja is a key area for the company’s growth. He explained that the launch aims to extend services already available in Lagos to customers in the capital.

Charles Oloyede, GIGM’s Head of Product, said technology has helped the company grow into other areas of the mobility business.

He mentioned that the company’s current tech systems support both road and air travel services, helping manage operations and provide customers with various travel options.

Mr Oloyede said the company uses technology to handle operational challenges that would be hard to manage manually.

He added that GIGM has about 150 daily touchpoints, though he did not specify if this means transactions, operations, or customer interactions.

He also noted that the company’s technology is designed to support its operations and give customers a more coordinated travel experience.

According to Mr Oloyede, Abuja is a vital market for the company. The launch aims to extend services already accessible in Lagos to customers in the capital.

Mr Osanipin emphasized that customers need to trust the platforms before sharing their personal details, making payments, and arranging travel.

He pointed out that reliability and good customer service are also essential, especially when customers face problems or need urgent help.

The NADDC director-general said the company’s experience in transport could help meet customer needs but warned against thinking that the launch alone will guarantee success.

He urged the management to continue improving its services and not get too comfortable.

“When you are number one, think as number two,” he said.

The platforms are launching at a time when more customers are using digital means to arrange transport and other services.