Bolt, Uber drivers in Lagos begin strike over fares and costs

Drivers working on ride-hailing platforms including Uber, Bolt, inDrive and Lagride began a three-day strike in Lagos on Monday, protesting what they describe as shrinking earnings and worsening working conditions as operating costs surge.

The stoppage, organized by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), is expected to see thousands of drivers log off the apps across Nigeria’s commercial capital, potentially disrupting one of the city’s most widely used transport options.

Union officials say the strike reflects mounting frustration among drivers who argue that fare structures have failed to keep pace with surging expenses, including fuel, maintenance and inflation.

“Drivers operating on these platforms face rising operational costs, including high fuel prices, vehicle maintenance, inflation, and daily living expenses,” said Steven Iwindoye, public relations officer for AUATON’s Lagos chapter. “Unfortunately, fare structures and policies of these companies have not been adjusted to reflect these economic realities.”

According to the union, many drivers now struggle to earn sustainable incomes despite long working hours. The strike aims to pressure ride-hailing companies and regulators into implementing reforms to improve drivers’ earnings and safety protections.

During the three-day action, drivers are expected to suspend activity on the major platforms serving Lagos. Union officials say the protest is not intended to inconvenience commuters but to push for what they describe as fairer conditions in the rapidly expanding app-based transport sector.

“This situation is not only unfair, but also threatens the livelihood and dignity of thousands of hardworking drivers who depend on this work to support their families,” the union said in an earlier statement.

The dispute highlights broader tensions between ride-hailing companies and drivers in Nigeria’s largest city, where platforms have grown rapidly but complaints over commission levels, fares and security have intensified.

AUATON said it has submitted 10 demands to ride-hailing companies and government authorities. These include an immediate fare review to reflect rising fuel prices, inflation and vehicle maintenance costs, as well as a reduction in commissions charged by the platforms.

Drivers are also calling for a regulated minimum base fare to prevent extremely low-priced trips, stronger rider verification systems, emergency panic buttons and faster responses to safety incidents.

The union is additionally demanding accident, health and life insurance coverage for drivers while they are active on ride-hailing apps.

The protest comes as economic pressures deepen for transport operators across Nigeria. Petrol prices have risen sharply in recent weeks following a spike in global crude prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, further squeezing drivers’ margins.

A similar dispute erupted in 2023 after the government removed fuel subsidies, sending petrol prices soaring and triggering protests by ride-hailing drivers who argued that fare adjustments introduced by the platforms did not reflect the full increase in costs.

At the time, some drivers began negotiating fares offline with passengers after trips were booked through the apps.

AUATON said it will review responses from companies and government officials after the three-day shutdown to determine whether the strike will be suspended or extended. Ride-hailing companies had not responded publicly to the strike at the time of publication.