If you’ve ever seen the President or a state governor driving by with a long trail of luxury SUVs, black sedans, and police escorts, it’s easy to assume they personally own every single one of those cars. Many Nigerians often raise eyebrows, questioning why one person needs 40 to 50 vehicles in a convoy, especially in a country where people are battling fuel costs, food inflation, and basic survival.
At Carlots.ng, we decided to break it down and clear the air.
Contrary to popular belief, the governor or the president doesn’t personally own all the vehicles in the convoy. In fact, most of them don’t. Out of a fleet of 40 or 50 cars, only about 5 to 7 might actually be official government-assigned vehicles dedicated to the governor or the President.
These are the primary cars used for transport, communication, and security.
The rest? They belong to:
Security agencies: Cars from the DSS, army, police, or civil defence units are assigned for protection duty.
Cabinet officials: Commissioners, ministers, or aides accompanying the governor or the President also drive their own official cars in the convoy.
Family or personal staff: Sometimes, family members or personal assistants are in the lineup, too.
Medical and logistics teams: A presidential or gubernatorial convoy often includes ambulances and support vehicles in case of emergencies.
Security. Visibility. Protocol. That’s it.
Convoys are designed for quick movement, maximum protection, and smooth communication. Insecurity in some parts of Nigeria makes it risky for a governor or president to move without adequate coverage. The number of cars in the convoy can also change depending on the event, the location, or who else is involved in the trip.
Yes, we agree, there’s a thin line between security needs and extravagance. Nigerians have every right to demand accountability. But it’s also important to know that not every Hilux or black Prado in that convoy was bought by or belongs to the governor or the president.
A good portion of the vehicles are operational assets tied to different government agencies. When the president is travelling, agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Police, and even health workers show up in full gear, and that adds more vehicles to the picture.
So the next time you see a convoy zoom past with sirens blaring, don’t be too quick to count the cars and slam your verdict. Most of them are not luxury toys or personal collections; they’re functional units, part of a coordinated system. The real question should be whether the system is being run efficiently, not whether the cars are too many.
At Carlots.ng, we’re all about educating Nigerians on car culture, government vehicle operations, and the real stories behind the wheels.
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