Nigeria's Tech Community pays tribute to GoKada CEO, Fahim Saleh

On June 15th, 2020, news broke out on the death of 33 year-old techpreneur and a player in the Nigeria tech ecosystem; Fahim Saleh. Following reports on the gruesome murder in his New York City apartment, many Nigerians have expressed their shock over the grimsome incident.

The tech community in Nigeria pays tribute to “one of their own”.

Fahim Saleh was a familiar name within the [Nigerian] tech community but beyond the shores of the community, was an even more familiar name: GoKada – the motorcycle-hailing company he had co-founded as an avid techpreneur to serve as a panacea to notorious traffic gridlocks in Lagos, Nigeria.

Kick-starting operations [in 2018] in a one room apartment somewhere along the axis of the state’s innovation cluster with only 20 motorcycles but an audacious front as the first motor-bike hailing app in Nigeria, the company assiduously grew to over a thousand motorcycles in over a year amidst other accomplishments. From securing its $5.3 million series A funding to venturing into a boat business, TechCity and the tech journal community had accordingly reported on the strides of this company.

On the other side of things, GoKada had also made headlines over its suspension and temporary shutdown of operations, initiated by the CEO, Fahim Saleh after a firsthand dissatisfaction with the service. Although the company resumed operations after a 2-week hiatus, it was soon hit by the ‘high-handed’ decision by the Lagos state government to ban activities of commercial motorcycles in the State. Eventually leading to the business decision by the organization to lay off 80% of its workforce and transition into logistics delivery; a disheartening one to many of the Lagos citizenry and the CEO.

Posted on February 2, is a video of the CEO, Fahim Saleh wearing his heart on his sleeves in a plea to the Lagos state government to regulate and not ban motorbike hailing services. He makes a passionate plea about its foreseeable effect on the riders of the company and narrates the organization’s dedication to making riding safe for its riders and customers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8E5XYKFKlQ/

Posted on February 2 is a video of the CEO, Fahim Saleh wearing his heart on his sleeves in a plea to the Lagos state government to regulate and not ban motorbike hailing services.

This, unfortunately will be one of the last of his social media posts before the news about his death.

We are deeply saddened to inform you about the sudden and tragic loss of our founder and CEO, Fahim Saleh. Fahim was a great leader, inspiration and positive light for all of us.
— Gokada (@gokadang) July 15, 2020

Stakeholders, reporters and associates in the Nigerian tech community pay tribute to the GoKada CEO

Man, may Fahim Saleh's soul rest in peace. I've been in disbelief since like 7 this morning. I never met him but from a distance, I could tell he was audacious and a go-getter. God comfort his family and the tech community. #gokada @techcityng
— BellaRose Okojie (@BellaRoseO) July 15, 2020

https://twitter.com/DadaBen_/status/1283295118225739779

So young and vibrant, this man was a true innovator. I pray succor for his family and loved ones, and that justice prevails. https://t.co/xeMCfPxYQN
— Victor Ekwealor Jnr. (@victor_ekwealor) July 16, 2020

Rest in peace, Fahim 😭
— Dr. 'Bosun Tijani (@bosuntijani) July 15, 2020

This series of tweets by Iyin Aboyeji, is a sound way to wrap up the eulogy of the aptly christened “Nigerian-Bangladeshi-American”.

He’d be remembered for his passion for wanting to be better.

An extract from his personal experience with his ride-hailing service on his Medium post reads:
“How could I be the CEO of Gokada, the company that pioneered motorcycle ride-hailing in Nigeria and be saying this? I was disappointed in Gokada but most of all, I was disappointed in myself.”