The 2016 vs 2026 trend has been everywhere lately, old photos, old tweets, old vibes we thought we left behind. So naturally, Lagos movement deserves its own version of the comparison. Because if you lived in Lagos in 2016, you already know that moving around the city was… character building.

That was the year ride-hailing started becoming a thing. Bolt had just arrived, but back then it was still called Taxify, and using it felt like a flex. Most days, movement meant standing by the road, squinting into the sun, negotiating prices you didn’t budget for, and mentally preparing for whatever the journey decided to throw at you.

In 2016, Lagos controlled how you moved. You waited, you negotiated, you adjusted. You got into buses hoping the conductor would remember where you were going. You left early because traffic had a personality of its own. Everything was loud, rushed, and unpredictable but that was just “how Lagos was.”

Now jump to 2026. Lagos is still Lagos, but movement feels different. The city didn’t suddenly become calm, but people gained something they didn’t have before: options. You can book a ride from your phone, see exactly who is coming, share your trip, and move on your own terms. No shouting. No roadside negotiations. Just movement that works around your life.

Ride-hailing didn’t remove traffic or fix the city, but it changed how people experience it. Late-night movement feels less stressful. Airport runs feel more organised. Even everyday errands feel more manageable. The biggest shift isn’t the cars, it’s the control.

It’s funny to think that in 2016, the conversation was simply “wow, a car can pick me up from my phone.” In 2026, the conversation is about safety, reliability, trust, and choice. Even the name tells the story: Taxify then, Bolt now. Same city, different expectations.

The 2016 vs 2026 trend is about growth, really. And when it comes to how Lagos moves, growth doesn’t mean perfection, it just means things make a little more sense than they used to.