Uber, Bolt Drivers to Strike on May 1st Over Low Fare Fees, High Commission Rates

By Emmanuel Kwada

Ride-hailing drivers across Nigeria, operating under platforms like Uber, Bolt, Lagride, inDrive, and Rida, are gearing up for a nationwide strike on May 1, 2025, as tensions boil over exploitative working conditions.

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) announced the 24-hour shutdown on Tuesday, accusing major ride-hailing companies of prioritizing profits over drivers’ welfare with low fares and exorbitant commission rates.

The strike, set to coincide with International Workers’ Day, is expected to disrupt transportation in Lagos, Abuja, Portharcourt and other major cities, with over 5,000 drivers pledging to log off their apps and stay off the roads.

AUATON’s grievances center on fares as low as ₦1,200 for a 10-kilometer trip and commission deductions ranging from 25% to 30%, which drivers say are unsustainable amid Nigeria’s soaring fuel costs following the 2023 subsidy removal.

Despite our efforts to engage in dialogue, these companies have ignored our pleas for fair compensation, safe working conditions, and respect for our rights as workers

Steven Iwindoye, AUATON’s Public Relations Officer, minced no words in a statement: “Despite our efforts to engage in dialogue, these companies have ignored our pleas for fair compensation, safe working conditions, and respect for our rights as workers.

This is not just a protest—it’s a demand for dignity.” Iwindoye highlighted additional concerns, including unsafe working environments, unjust account deactivations, and mandatory facial recognition systems that drivers deem invasive.

The union’s demands are bold: a 200% fare increase to offset rising operational costs and a slashing of commission rates to as low as 5%-10%. AUATON argues that even at a reduced 10% commission, companies like Uber and Bolt could rake in ₦14.4 billion annually in Lagos alone, while allowing drivers a livable income. “We’re the backbone of this industry, yet we’re struggling to survive,” said a Lagos-based driver, who requested anonymity. “Fuel prices have quadrupled, but our earnings remain a pittance.”

We’re showing these companies we’re not just individual drivers, but a force that won’t be ignored

AUATON estimates that vehicle maintenance costs have spiked 200% since the subsidy removal, eroding profits and forcing some drivers to sell their cars or abandon the trade altogether. “This is a united front,” Iwindoye emphasized. “We’re showing these companies we’re not just individual drivers, but a force that won’t be ignored.”

As May 1 approaches, the union plans to collaborate with other labor organizations to push for lasting reforms in the digital transport sector. Meanwhile, commuters brace for a day of disruption, and all eyes are on Uber, Bolt, and their counterparts to see if they’ll budge—or if Nigeria’s gig economy is headed for a reckoning.