How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Dispatch Rider?

Dispatch Riders in Nigeria

The cost of hiring dispatch riders in Nigeria is a topic worth discussing because of the role they play in the logistics sector. Nigeria’s logistics sector was worth 250 billion naira in 2018 and is expected to have tripled this number by 2025. This forecast implies that many opportunities still abound in the industry. The use of bikes and dispatch riders is a core part of the logistics business in Nigeria. It is the most used means of delivery because of the convenience and speed of its services.

Since one of Nigeria’s major problems is traffic jams, this means that you can see a lot of delays in other forms of road transportation delivery service. Dispatch riders have an edge over this problem. They can navigate their way through the major traffic jam and still meet up with the planned schedule. They can also access places that cars, trucks, and buses won’t access so they can bring the delivery to your doorstep. The average cost of hiring dispatch riders within Lagos is ₦3,000 – ₦12,000. This range depends on the distance, size of the parcel, and accessibility of the roads used for delivery.

Cost of Hiring Dispatch Riders Within Lagos 2024

Deliveries within Lagos costs ₦3,500 – ₦12,000 on average. Deliveries within Lagos could be from mainland to mainland, Island to Island, Island to mainland, or Mainland to Island. Other popular places are not represented as Island or Mainland. These include places like Ikorodu, Ojo, Iyana Ipaja, and Badagry. Dispatch riders’ cost to these areas is slightly more expensive. Delivering parcels from the Mainland to the Island or vice-versa is more expensive than within the same vicinity. However, the size of the parcel and the accessibility of the road could skyrocket the cost of your delivery.

Dispatch riders making a delivery within the Lagos Mainland or Island charge ₦3,000 to ₦9,500. Meanwhile, dispatch riders making deliveries from Lagos Mainland to the Island or vice versa charge ₦3,000 to ₦7,000 for parcels of 5kg or less. Dispatch riders in Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry would also charge ₦3,000 to ₦7,000 for deliveries in their vicinity. Meanwhile, they can charge up to ₦9,000 for deliveries from their vicinity too far on the island or mainland. The same cost will apply and vice versa. Deliveries within Lagos always take 1-3 days depending on the delivery company.

Nigerian Dispatch Rider Price List

There is no particular price that can be referred to as the standard Nigerian dispatch rider price, we can, however, provide a range of prices that you can use to set your budget. These ranges of prices cover what the majority of dispatch riders in the country charge for their services, but that does not mean that there aren’t dispatch riders who charge outside these ranges. The dispatch riders’ price list in Nigeria covers the majority of the dispatch riders, not all.

Prices That Dispatch Riders Charge Within Lagos

Note: The price of hiring dispatch riders within the same location (e.g within Ikorodu, within Ikeja, or Lekki) is usually not more than ₦3,000. However, the price for dispatch riders around the places listed together in a region is also cheap.

Prices That Dispatch Riders Charge From Lagos to the Nearby States

Prices That Dispatch Riders Charge Within Abuja

Note: The price of hiring dispatch riders within the same location (e.g within Wuse 2, within Logokoma, or Gwarinpa) is usually not more than ₦3,000. However, the price for dispatch riders around the places listed together in a region is also cheap.

Prices That dispatch Riders Charge From Abuja to the Nearby States

Why Should I Use Dispatch Rider For Delivery?

• Size of item: The size of the parcel you want to be delivered is a major factor in the cost of hiring dispatch riders. Items higher than 5kg are usually given additional cost depending on the delivery company. Heavy items like refrigerators and generators have to be delivered with delivery trucks and not dispatch riders, hence the additional cost.
• Location: The pick-up location and the delivery location affect the cost of hiring dispatch riders. Delivery from one state to another is usually more costly than delivery within a state. Also, deliveries to remote areas or villages could be more costly due to the road and distance to such areas. These kinds of delivery are usually done with delivery vans or delivery trucks, to cover large distances.
• Several items: The number of items you want to be delivered also affects the cost of hiring dispatch riders. Delivery of more items to different locations would come with a little discount that reduces the cost. However, not all companies offer this discount, you can request a discount for multiple deliveries.
• Pick-up and delivery: Parcels are usually picked up from your location, then delivered to your desired address. However, if you bring your parcel to the delivery company directly, it could affect the cost of the delivery service. You can request a price reduction when pick-up is eliminated.
• Destination: The accessibility to the place you want to deliver your parcel also matters. The delivery to Lekki or Victoria Island in Lagos is relatively cheaper when compared to delivery to Ojo or Ikorodu.

Why Should I Use a Dispatch Rider For Delivery?

Dispatch riders are best suited for Nigerians because they can access any place and they don’t get delayed by traffic jams. Many of the day-to-day deliveries in Nigeria is time dependent. Dispatch riders are the fastest means to get deliveries done for a fair price.  They are also best suited for small parcels and fragile items. A bus would most likely have to take multiple items of large sizes before deciding to go make a delivery. Meanwhile, a dispatch rider can make a trip with just one parcel. This is why their deliveries are faster.

Dispatch riders are the best for perishable food items that don’t need freezers like cakes, raw meat, and soups. The delivery of heavy items is not good for dispatch bikes. Meanwhile, most fragile electronic devices are better delivered by dispatch riders. The order of pizzas and other cooked meals are also best transported by dispatch riders because their deliveries are time-dependent.

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Dispatch Rider

• Size of item: The size of the parcel you want to be delivered is a major factor in determining whether a dispatch rider is best for the job. Items higher than 50kg are not suitable for dispatch riders but anything weighing around 5kg is convenient for dispatch riding. Heavy items like refrigerators and generators have to be delivered by delivery trucks. The bigger the size of the item the higher the cost.
• Accessibility: How accessible the pick-up or delivery location determines whether a dispatch rider is fit for the Job. Places that can be accessed by trucks or buses can still be accessed by dispatch riders. Meanwhile, dispatch riders can access places that buses and trucks won’t access. For an easily flooded and populated city like Lagos, the accessibility of many houses makes dispatch riders the only option.
• Distance: The longer the distance the less suitable a dispatch rider is for the job. Interstate travels like going from Lagos to Port Harcourt to make a delivery are not suitable for dispatch riders. Dispatch riders are for shorter distances within the state or from the state to a nearby location in another state.
• Honesty: Honesty is a scarce commodity among dispatch riders in Nigeria so if you are keen on timely delivery you will need an honest dispatch rider. Meanwhile, any honest dispatch rider would be principled so they wouldn’t accept delays from you so that it doesn’t cause delays for other customers during multiple deliveries.
• Delivery cost: The ease and the other benefits that dispatch riders give attract more cost than the other forms of delivery. However, a delivery from a truck would take a significantly longer time and would cost less.
• Doorstep delivery: If you want doorstep delivery, dispatch riders are your best choice.

Benefits of Hiring Dispatch Riders

• Ease of delivery: Hiring a dispatch rider makes it easy for you to deliver your goods from one location to another. A dispatch rider can come to your doorstep for pick-up and make a delivery.
• Timely delivery: A dispatch rider is usually not affected by traffic jams so you can avoid the biggest delay of transportation in Nigeria with dispatch riders. You can get your items delivered as early as possible.
• Lesser cases of loss of items/ breakage: If you make use of the alternative of sending parcels through trucks and buses, you’ll be charged and your item will not be safe. There is a higher possibility of losing an item through this means. Dispatch riders have fewer items to manage. In most cases, the only item they are delivering is your parcel.
• No theft: Dispatch riders would secure your parcels from theft during delivery. When items go missing, they bear the cost of it, according to your agreement.
• Doorstep delivery: Only dispatch riders assure you of door-to-door delivery. They would bring the item to your doorstep. All you need to do is to come out of your house to get your item.

How to Save Money on Hiring Dispatch Riders

• Bargaining: One way to save money on dispatch riders is to bargain. Try to bargain for the best price you can get. However, you may not be able to bargain so much for single items.
• Pick-up/Delivery: To save money, you can drop off your items by yourself at the dispatch rider’s location and request a price reduction. Dispatch riders charge for both pick-up and delivery, so dropping the items at the office of the dispatch rider will reduce the price of deliveries.
• Reduction in weight of items: Heavier items cost more than other items. You can repackage your items to reduce their weight. You can remove papers or packaging materials that are heavy. Proper packaging can reduce the weight and the price of delivery.
• Multiple deliveries: Another way to save money is through multiple deliveries. Multiple deliveries usually attract discounts from dispatch riders. In other to save money, you could send off all your deliveries at the same time.