Uber Technologies said it is committed to dialogue with drivers after a strike by app-based transport operators disrupted ride-hailing services in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.
The industrial action began on Monday, continued on Tuesday, and remains ongoing on Wednesday, affecting platforms including Uber, Bolt, and inDrive.
Drivers logged off their apps to protest rising operating costs, low fares, and difficult working conditions. Union leaders have demanded higher fares, reduced commission charges, and improved protections for drivers. The strike has temporarily reduced ride availability across the country’s most populous city.
“Drivers are at the heart of our business, and we remain committed to engaging constructively with them through regular roundtable discussions,” Uber said in an email to Punch Online on Wednesday.
The company highlighted that its platform must balance the interests of both drivers and riders, describing alignment between the two as a fundamental principle of its operations.
“Uber operates an incredibly large and dynamic marketplace, but it only works when it works for all users, riders and drivers. Aligning our joint interests is a fundamental principle in how we run our platform,” the company added.
This is not the first time drivers in Lagos have taken industrial action. Previous strikes have been prompted by similar grievances, including low fares, high commission charges, and poor working conditions. Rising fuel costs, vehicle maintenance expenses, and broader inflationary pressures have intensified the financial strain on drivers, prompting repeated walkouts.
Uber began operations in Nigeria in 2014, launching first in Lagos before expanding to cities such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. Since its entry, Uber has become a major player in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector alongside competitors like Bolt and inDrive.
Uber pointed to its 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria to highlight the income opportunities created for drivers, estimating that drivers collectively earn an additional N6.1bn annually through the platform.
“Uber’s 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria revealed that the platform continues to play a meaningful role in supporting earning opportunities. In total, drivers are estimated to earn an additional N6.1bn annually in higher income through their use of the Uber app,” the firm stated.
The company added that it constantly monitors local marketplace conditions to ensure its platform reflects the realities faced by drivers.