Bolt has launched its Safety Ambassadors Programme, a new initiative designed to equip driver partners with essential first aid and emergency response skills to help them respond appropriately to roadside incidents.
The pilot training, held in Abuja in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, brought together 50 Bolt driver partners for practical training in basic first aid and emergency response. At the end of the session, participating drivers received certificates of completion and first aid kits to support them in responding to emergencies they may encounter while on the road.
With Bolt driver partners operating across major cities and spending significant time on the road, they are uniquely positioned to potentially provide immediate assistance when accidents or other emergencies occur before professional responders arrive. The Safety Ambassadors Programme seeks to strengthen this capacity by providing drivers with the knowledge and basic tools needed to respond safely and responsibly.
Speaking on the initiative, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, Senior General Manager, Bolt West Africa, said: ‘Safety remains at the heart of everything we do at Bolt, and our responsibility extends beyond the experience within the vehicle. Our driver partners are present on roads and in communities every day, and equipping them with basic first aid and emergency response skills can help them respond appropriately when they encounter an incident.
‘Through the Safety Ambassadors Programme, we are investing in our driver partners and giving them practical skills that can potentially make a difference in critical moments. We are pleased to partner with the Nigerian Red Cross Society on this pilot and look forward to expanding the programme to more cities across Nigeria.’
The training was delivered by the Nigerian Red Cross Society, with drivers receiving practical guidance on responding to common roadside emergencies, basic first aid techniques, and the appropriate steps to take while awaiting professional emergency services.
Gbubemi Uba, Managing Director, Nigerian Red Cross Social Enterprise, said: ‘The Nigerian Red Cross Society is mandated to protect lives and reduce human suffering. Our partnership with Bolt provides an opportunity to scale and institutionalise first aid and road safety training for drivers and riders. When more people are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately in an emergency, we can help save more lives on Nigerian roads.’
The Abuja pilot is the first phase of a broader programme that Bolt plans to scale across Nigeria. Over the coming months, the company aims to train up to 500 driver partners across cities including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Ibadan, Benin and Kano, among others.
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