Meet traffic officer, combining duty with artistry
Across the world, traffic officers play a vital role in maintaining order on busy roads. Many remain unsung heroes, ensuring safety and smooth movement amid reckless drivers and the ever-unending daily chaos. In Nigeria, the story isn’t different as dedicated men and women navigate congested streets to keep traffic flowing. In Ondo State, however, one […]
Across the world, traffic officers play a vital role in maintaining order on busy roads. Many remain unsung heroes, ensuring safety and smooth movement amid reckless drivers and the ever-unending daily chaos. In Nigeria, the story isn’t different as dedicated men and women navigate congested streets to keep traffic flowing. In Ondo State, however, one officer stands out, not just for doing his job but transforming it into an artistic form.
In the bustling city of Akure, where blaring horns and impatient drivers define the daily rush, Inspector Gbenga Olaseni, popularly known as Eba, has become a spectacle of discipline, passion and creativity.
At his duty post, Olaseni does more than direct traffic under tense situations. With rhythmic movements, confident spins, a smile and expressive dance gestures, he captivates motorists and pedestrians alike, turning a routine assignment into a performance that commands attention and respect.
Oyin Akoko, Olaseni’s journey into traffic control carries a unique twist. Once an aspiring actor, he now channels that passion into his daily work on the road.
“I love this job; it brings me joy daily. I would even encourage my son to become a traffic warden. I am truly passionate about it. People enjoy seeing me on the road. They call me Eba, a name given to me during my football playing days,” he told our correspondent.
The ever-smiling traffic warden, a father of six, told Weekend Trust that he joined the Nigeria Police Force in 2007 and had only been promoted thrice so far in 19 years.
“I joined this workforce in 2007. My first promotion was in 2016, the second in 2020, and the recent in 2025. At the moment, I am an inspector. I have six children – one is a graduate and two are about to further their education. I sponsor them all with this my job,” he said, adding that he receives N172,000 as take home pay at the end of every month and lives in a rented apartment in Akure.
“I pay N350,000 as rent. However, I have a land gifted to me by someone but I have not been able to develop it. People love the way I give gestures and dance as I carry out my duties as a traffic control officer on the road. For this, they give me money. I don’t have any other job other than this job, so I am focused and diligent in it,” he added.
Highlighting some of his challenges, the popular traffic warden lamented the situation in the country, as well as the scorching sun and encounters with commercial vehicles and motorcycles.
“The challenges I face are numerous, especially with commercial vehicles and motorcycles. They don’t obey traffic rules most times. I try my best to caution them not to cause accidents. Most times when I stop them they would always want to go through.
“The situation in the country at the moment is not too fair. Apart from staying in the sun to control traffic although, which is my job, there is no special welfare package. We are just struggling to keep going, Most times I don’t have the chance to go to church or functions because I only I have limited free time. My off days are not enough,” he lamented.
Olaseni also recounted how he was declared dead during an accident that could have claimed his life.
“Sometime last year, there was rumour that I was killed by a heavy-duty vehicle. Although I was there that minute the accident happened, I was very fortunate to have left the spot. It was so fatal that the vehicle killed a motorcycle rider. The accident happened right on the spot I usually stay, but I was not there. People started spreading the false news that I had died. I later came out to inform them that I was alive,” he explained.
He also narrated how his admirers fought for him not to be transferred from his popular spot.
“There was a time in January this year when they wanted to post me out of my popular spot in Akure to another town in Ondo State but my people and fans on the social media insisted that they still wanted me in Ondo State and Akure here precisely,” he revealed.
Speaking about his social life, the police officer said he was brought to limelight on the social media by a passerby who recorded his dancing gestures while on duty, adding that he has received 18 awards from loved ones.
“So far, during this work I have received 18 awards for my contribution as a traffic warden. I started receiving these awards given by various individuals and organisations since 2015.
“I am also on the social media, where I sometimes post the way I dance and put gestures in the process of my work. Most people find it amazing. They sometimes take my shot and send it online. This made me popular,” he added.
Olaseni’s enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed. Commercial drivers, cyclists and pedestrians have spoken highly of his professionalism and energy.
Kehinde Sunday, a driver, said he looked forward to seeing Olaseni on duty, describing him as a man who embodies passion in his work.
“I like his attitude to work. He is hardworking and diligent. The way he dances has endeared him to our hearts. He is very popular in Akure and people love him,” Sunday said.
For Victoria Oluwadare, his presence is both refreshing and inspiring. She believes that individuals like him deserve recognition for bringing dignity and joy to public service.
Beyond the road, Olaseni leads a modest family life in Oke Aro, Akure with his wife and four children. Despite humble living conditions, his family takes immense pride in his work.
His daughter, Rasheedat, a graduate of the College of Education in Ikere-Ekiti, described him as hardworking and deeply committed. Now a corps member, she admires his resilience and the love he brings to his duty.
“My father is loved by the people and they shower gifts on him for his dedication and passion,” she said.
His wife, Wuraola, also spoke of his dedication, noting that he approaches his job with patience and humanity. According to her, he performs his duties without unnecessary arrests, setting an example of dignity in labour.
Over time, his unique approach has earned him recognition from community groups and admiration across Ondo State.
Femi Idowu, an Akure indigene, believes Olaseni represents the power of dedication and calls for national recognition to motivate him and inspire others.
In a world where public service often goes unnoticed, Inspector Gbenga “Eba” Olaseni stands as a reminder that passion can transform duty into joy and even the chaos of traffic into a performance worth watching.
His enthusiasm hasn’t gone unnoticed in the community he works. Commercial drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians speak highly of his professionalism and energy.
Kehinde Sunday, a driver,who plys the route he works, said he looks forward to seeing Olaseni on duty whenever he passes through the area, describing him as a man who embodies passion in his work.
“I love his attitude to work, he is hardworking and diligent. The way he dances has endeared him to our hearts. He is very popular in Akure and people love him,” he said.
For Victoria Oluwadare, a pedestrian who passes the street, his presence is both refreshing and inspiring. She believes individuals like him deserve recognition for bringing dignity and joy to public service.
Beyond the road, Olaseni leads a modest family life in Oke Aro, Akure, with his wife and four children. Despite humbling living conditions, his family takes immense pride in his work.
His daughter, Rasheedat, a graduate of the College of Education in Ikere-Ekiti, described him as hardworking and deeply committed. Now a corps member, she admires his resilience and the love and dedication he brings to his duty post.
“My father is loved by the people and they shower gifts on him for his dedication and passion,” Rasheedat said.
His wife, Wuraola, also spoke of his dedication, noting that he approaches his job with patience and humanity. According to her, he performs his duties without unnecessary arrests, setting an example of dignity in labour.
Fisayo Olugboji, a passerby, also expressed deep admiration for the exceptional dedication of Olaseni, the traffic officer known for his unique and engaging approach to duty.
For him, Olaseni’s style of traffic control stands out, not just in Ondo State but across the country.
“I have travelled across cities in the country and I haven’t come across a traffic officer as committed as him. The way he combines professionalism with entertainment, dancing and engaging motorists while maintaining order is truly remarkable,” he noted.
Olugboji noted that Olaseni’s uncommon passion and positive attitude towards his work deserved national recognition. He added that honouring such individuals would not only reward excellence but also motivate others in public service to go above and beyond in the discharge of their duties with commitment and dedication.
Also, Tosin Babatunde, a motorist in Akure, said Olaseni’s systematic way of controlling traffic is unique, describing him as someone who cherishes his Job.
“I am a traveller, so I do pass this route to Ondo town daily. He is unique among his colleagues. I do see other officers control traffic in the usual manner, but Gbenga has made himself popular by directing traffic with passion. He dances sometimes without losing control. Most times I want to give him money but I think twice because of the ethics of his profession,” Babatunde said.
A female commercial tricyclist, Temitope Dada, also noted that Oseni’s demonstration prompted her interest in applying for a traffic job.
“His passion is rare. Most times you will see passersby watching him for moments. He made me take interest in becoming a traffic warden,” she said.
Despite all the accolades, a bit of challenge is experienced in the dedicated officer’s life. His neighbour, Idowu Falade, expressed concern over his living condition despite years of dedicated service. He described Gbenga’s situation as one that calls for urgent attention and support.
“Considering his many years of meritorious service, I believe he should be living in his own house by now. But given the current economic realities in the country, it may be difficult for him to achieve this alone. He needs the support of well-meaning Nigerians to help him build a house,” Falade said.
He, therefore, appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and relevant authorities to come to Gbenga’s aid, noting that supporting him would be a meaningful way of appreciating his service and encouraging continued dedication to duty.
Over time, his unique approach has earned him recognition from community groups and admiration across Ondo State.
Femi Idowu, an Akure indigene, believes Olaseni represents the power of dedication. He called for national recognition to motivate him and inspire others.