For event planner, serial entrepreneur and new mom Tola Badmus, affectionately known to her peers as Big T, car ownership in Nigeria goes far beyond sterile spec sheets and aesthetics. It is an exercise in presence, daily reliability and finding a machine that effortlessly matches the demanding pace of a Lagos lifestyle.
While many drivers get bogged down by mechanical headaches, Big T’s automotive journey is deeply personal. Her chariot of choice is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, a surprise wedding present from her husband that she has christened ‘Coco’.
From Audi Dreams to the Benz Lifestyle
Big T’s journey to the Three-Pointed Star wasn’t immediate. She used to consider herself an Audi girl, drawn heavily to their interior design. Later, swept up by TikTok trends, she envisioned herself as a ‘Range Rover wifey’.
However, her husband steered her away from the constant fear of roadside breakdowns, ultimately pulling off a successful surprise by gifting her the GLE 350. It was her first time ever driving in the front seat of a Mercedes-Benz, leading to some initial adjustment quirks, such as repeatedly mistaking the steering-column gear selector for the windshield wipers when switching between cars. Her father taught her always to look put-together, so she refuses to drive barefoot, insisting that proper shoes are a non-negotiable part of a lady’s driving etiquette.
Meet ‘Coco’ – The Princess That Does Not Swim
The name ‘Coco’ came naturally because friends call her Big T, meaning the car needed a grand prefix to match. In her mind, Coco is the first of a planned duo; the next vehicle, destined to be a G-Wagon or a newer model, will be named Chanel.
Despite her love for fast driving, Big T treats Coco like absolute royalty. When it comes to Lagos flooding, Coco has a strict phobia. Her husband warned her that deep water can easily cause sensitive under-dash electrical components to spark, so Big T follows a golden rule: ‘If I cannot put my leg in that water, Coco cannot enter that water’. She never takes the car out into heavy downpours.
The Ultimate Lagos Mom-Mobile
Although she did not choose the SUV specifically with babies in mind, it has proved to be an exceptional vehicle for motherhood. She has equipped the interior with safety essentials, including an infant car seat that uses ISOFIX, a rear-seat baby mirror that acts like a backup camera for her child and noise-cancelling headsets for quiet naps.
When conventional methods fail to put her baby to sleep, Big T relies on a foolproof 10-minute drive with the panoramic roof open and windows down so the baby can watch the trees breeze by, a trick that knocks her out instantly.
Business Respect, Fuel and Maintenance Realities
In the high-stakes Lagos event-planning industry, where clients casually discuss multimillion-naira budgets, arriving in a Mercedes-Benz changes how clients perceive you. Compared to arriving in an Uber, stepping out of a GLE 350 commands immediate professional respect and credibility.
However, living this lifestyle comes with distinct financial realities. Big T notes that Coco consumes a notable amount of fuel, with a half-tank costing around ₦35,000 for a couple of days of running errands around Chevron, Lekki Phase 1 and Victoria Island, while a full tank runs between ₦70,000 and ₦75,000. Maintenance is expensive, but because she treats service intervals as a strict, non-negotiable routine rather than waiting for warning lights, Coco has never left her stranded. In fact, Big T humorously admitted she had never even opened the car’s bonnet until recently, a sharp contrast to her previous Toyota Corolla where checking fluids was a regular chore.
Is the GLE 350 for Everyone?
For anyone eyeing a GLE 350, Big T has a clear word of advice: maintenance is key, and it does not come cheap. ‘If you’re nonchalant, this is not for you,’ she warns, noting that even minor warning lights can translate to thousands of Naira in repairs. But for moms or anyone with a solid budget looking for unmatched ride comfort that cushions Lagos potholes, reliable daily performance and undeniable style, Coco is indeed a brilliant companion.
