LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Chowdeck CEO Femi Aluko has come under criticism after revealing that bicycle delivery riders on the food platform earn an average of N100,000 per week.
Aluko made the disclosure during an interview with Channels Television, where he discussed the earning potential of riders working with the company.
According to him, the amount a rider takes home depends largely on the number of deliveries completed and the distance covered.
He explained that while the riders keep fit physically, they are paid based partly on the kilometres they travel, meaning those who complete more deliveries and cover longer distances have the opportunity to earn more.
“Chowdeck riders earn an average of N100,000 per week while staying fit. The best ones make much higher than that,” he said.
Aluko described the work as a numbers-driven system, explaining that riders can increase their earnings by completing more deliveries.
“It’s a game of numbers, the more delivery you do, the more you’re able to earn and cover distance and kilometres because they’re also paid by kilometres,” Aluko added.
The interviewer expressed surprise at the figure, pointing out that an average weekly income of N100,000 would translate to roughly N400,000 a month for a rider using a bicycle.
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Aluko confirmed the calculation but acknowledged that the earnings also come with expenses.
“That’s correct, yeah. Again, it also comes with its own cost, like you have to maintain your bicycles,” Chowdeck CEO stated.
However, the claim quickly generated mixed reactions online with some Nigerians questioning whether the figure reflects the realities faced by riders on the streets.
Some users shared screenshots of alleged rider payouts ranging from about N80,000 to N150,000, suggesting that earnings can vary significantly.
Others argued that the reported income does not tell the full story, pointing to the long hours riders spend navigating Lagos traffic, dealing with bad weather, maintaining their bicycles and personally taking deductions linked to complaints.
The debate also drew comments about the physical demands of delivery work, with some users sharing experiences of seeing exhausted riders after long-distance trips.
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Nigerian rapper N6 strongly rejected Aluko’s claim, accusing the “aware” CEO of presenting an inaccurate picture of riders earnings.
“This is a stinking Lie and a Very devilish thing to say. Nobody delivering for CD makes N100k weekly & he fucking knows it,” the rapper wrote.
Another user, @SheinAdeola, criticized the CEO from the perspective of a customer who had encountered a visibly exhausted rider who travelled from Mushin to Gbagada to deliver food.
“You can’t stay in the office and say things like this. Your bicycle boys are extremely malnourished. He was so exhausted. Delivery was N2500 and I know Chowdeck would still take a cut. CEO should enter field,” the user stated.
Similarly, @Salman questioned the comparison between delivery riders and professionals in other sectors.
“Only Nigerian economy can make you compare dispatch riders with medical doctors.”
While Aluko maintained that riders can earn around N100,000 weekly on average, the contrasting experiences shared online show that earnings may vary depending on factors such as workload, distance, expenses and deductions.
