Based on the novel The Lekki Headmaster, which factor makes Mr. Bepo cautious about entering the commercial transportation business?

Answer Details

This comprehension question asks about the specific concern that makes Mr Bepo cautious about entering the commercial transportation business, another entrepreneurial idea he considers alongside his teaching career.

The factor that makes Mr Bepo cautious is the problem of untrustworthy commercial drivers. In the Nigerian commercial transport sector, vehicle owners who are not drivers themselves must hire drivers to operate their vehicles. Mr Bepo is aware that such drivers can be unreliable - they may mismanage fares, damage vehicles, engage in reckless driving, or even abscond with the vehicle altogether. This well-known risk in the Nigerian transport industry gives him pause about investing in the business.

His hesitation is not due to a lack of startup capital, high operational costs, or a lack of interest in the sector. He has considered the business seriously enough to identify the specific risk that concerns him most: the difficulty of finding and retaining honest and dependable drivers. This practical awareness adds to the portrait of Mr Bepo as a thoughtful, risk-conscious individual.