Former celebrity wife Mabel Makun found herself at the center of viral attention after footage emerged showing her awkward attempt to board a commercial motorcycle—locally known as “okada”—amid paralyzing Lagos traffic. The interior designer and ex-wife of renowned Nigerian comedian AY Makun documented her unusual commuting experience on March 2, 2025, providing a rare glimpse into how even the privileged navigate Lagos’ infamous traffic challenges.
The Independence Bridge closure for scheduled maintenance transformed Lagos’ already challenging roadways into virtual parking lots, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours. Among them was Mabel, who after enduring five hours without movement, abandoned conventional transportation methods for the city’s ubiquitous two-wheeled alternative.
“Who asked me to go for this meeting today? The traffic in Lagos today is something else, on one spot for five hours,” she lamented in her Instagram story before revealing her unconventional solution.
What followed was an unexpectedly comedic moment as cameras captured her struggling to mount the motorcycle while the patient rider offered instructions. The mother of two appeared visibly uncomfortable with the process, pleading with the rider to lower the bike further to facilitate her boarding attempt.
“Please, can you bring it down a bit more?” she asked repeatedly, to which the rider insisted the motorcycle couldn’t be lowered any further. After several awkward moments and multiple attempts, she finally managed to secure herself on the vehicle, much to the amusement of onlookers and the person recording the encounter.
The video’s spread across social media platforms sparked varied reactions, with many expressing surprise that someone of Mabel’s social standing would be unfamiliar with such a common mode of transportation in Nigeria. Comments ranged from genuine amusement to skepticism about the authenticity of her apparent inexperience.
User @Cellarrouge captured this sentiment perfectly: “Lol now this video is really funny!! Mabel are u trying to do like you’ve never entered okada? As how? You?” Similarly, @Glamluxeclothing remarked, “Aunty so you’ve never entered okada before now 😂na wa.”
Others found humor in the contrast between different aspects of celebrity lifestyles, with @Sheisbrizzypriss noting: “But una go sabi ride safari bike and sport bicycle😳😮 Social media is indeed not a real place 😂.
Some commenters related to Mabel’s struggle, with @Okoye__ozioma admitting, “I always have a tough time getting on bike, Na wahala for me😂😂, I nor like am at all.
Beyond the entertainment value, the incident illuminates the democratizing effect of Lagos traffic—a phenomenon that transcends social barriers and frequently forces even the most privileged residents to adapt to circumstances. Transportation experts note that Lagos, with over 20 million residents and limited road infrastructure, creates unique mobility challenges that often nullify the advantages of wealth and status.
Urban planning specialist Dr. Funmi Adewole explains: “What we witnessed with Mabel Makun represents a common Lagos experience. When the city’s arteries become completely blocked, alternative transportation methods like okadas become the great equalizer. No amount of wealth can move a car through physically impassable roadways.
The Independence Bridge, a critical connection point in Lagos’ transportation network, services approximately 250,000 vehicles daily. Its temporary closure created ripple effects throughout the city’s road systems, bringing several key areas to a complete standstill despite authorities’ attempts to implement diversionary routes.
Lagos State Transportation Commissioner had issued warnings about potential disruptions in the days leading up to the maintenance work, advising residents to “plan alternative routes or postpone non-essential travel.” However, as is often the case, many residents found themselves caught in the resulting chaos despite these precautions.
For Mabel Makun, whose public profile rose during her marriage to one of Nigeria’s most successful comedians, the incident represents a rare moment of vulnerability shared with her followers. Since her highly publicized divorce from AY Makun in late 2024, she has maintained a relatively low profile while continuing her work as an interior designer with a clientele that includes numerous Nigerian celebrities and business elites.
Transportation analysts point out that okadas, despite periodic government restrictions and safety concerns, remain an essential component of Lagos’ transportation ecosystem precisely because they can navigate spaces inaccessible to larger vehicles during extreme congestion. An estimated 800,000 commercial motorcycles operate within the Lagos metropolitan area, providing vital mobility when conventional options fail.
Social commentator Ebuka Okafor notes: “What makes this video particularly interesting is how it captures the reality that Lagos traffic is perhaps the city’s greatest equalizer. Whether you live in Ikoyi or Ajegunle, when the roads lock up completely, everyone faces the same limited options.”
The incident also highlights the extreme measures commuters take when faced with Lagos’ unpredictable traffic patterns. Studies show that Lagos residents spend an average of 30 hours weekly in traffic—equivalent to nearly four full workdays monthly—prompting increasingly creative solutions from all socioeconomic classes.
As Mabel’s video continues circulating across digital platforms, it joins the pantheon of viral moments that temporarily unite Nigerians in shared recognition of common urban challenges. Whether viewed as relatable content or a humorous glimpse into celebrity discomfort, the footage captures a universal Lagos experience that transcends typical social divides.
For the thousands who witnessed similar gridlock that day, Mabel’s impromptu okada journey represents not just a celebrity moment but a reflection of their own daily navigation of Africa’s largest city—where adaptability often trumps privilege, and where sometimes the only way forward requires temporarily abandoning comfort zones and embracing unconventional solutions.
As one commenter succinctly observed: “Lagos traffic: the great equalizer. Today’s lesson: when the road stops moving, we all become okada passengers, designer clothes or not.”
