Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has promised to introduce drone taxis for public transportation within his first four years in office if elected president in 2027.
Sowore made the proposal during an interview with Omoyele Sowore on African Independent Television (AIT), aired on September 29, 2026, outlining his vision for using technology to address Nigeria’s transportation challenges.
“I will be the first president in Nigeria that will give an opportunity for anybody who is building drone taxis or drone transportation to come and test it in Nigeria,” he said.
The activist said he wanted Nigeria to become a major hub for the production of drone taxis and other forms of aerial transportation, arguing that the technology could connect places with limited airport infrastructure and help commuters avoid road traffic.
He cited Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, as an example of a destination he believed could benefit from the technology. He also claimed that obstacle-avoidance systems could make the vehicles difficult to intercept, including in areas affected by insecurity.
Sowore said the proposed vehicles would be electrically powered, describing the plan as part of a transition towards green energy. He projected that by 2035, as many as 200,000 people could be transported to work in Abuja using drone taxis.
When the interviewer questioned why he was discussing a target beyond the end of a possible first presidential term in 2031, Sowore said infrastructure projects should be designed to outlast the administrations that initiate them.
Lagoon-Ikeja waterway
Beyond aerial transportation, Sowore proposed developing an inland waterway linking the Lagos Lagoon to Ikeja to provide an alternative means of transport and improve drainage.
He said the proposed route could allow people to travel from the lagoon to Ikeja without getting caught in Lagos traffic, while also helping address the state’s recurring flooding problems.
According to Sowore, the waterway could incorporate drainage channels, drawing inspiration from Amsterdam’s waterways.
He criticised what he described as inadequate drainage infrastructure in Lagos, arguing that prolonged rainfall could leave roads and neighbourhoods flooded.
The AAC candidate also questioned the durability of some road construction projects, arguing that infrastructure should be built to last beyond the tenure of the government responsible for it. He raised concerns about the use of concrete roads without an appropriate asphalt surface, claiming that exposed surfaces could damage vehicle tyres.
Sowore’s proposals add to his broader emphasis on technology in governance. In July 2026, he outlined plans to use artificial intelligence in public financial management and drone technology in national defence as part of his 2027 political platform. citeturn529702search1
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