Ride-hailing drivers for Uber and Bolt across Nigeria are set to stage a nationwide strike on May 1, 2025, demanding fair wages and better working conditions, as announced on April 22, 2025.
Organized by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, the action reflects growing frustration over low earnings, high commission rates, and rising fuel costs that have eroded drivers’ livelihoods.
The union, representing thousands of drivers in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, accused Uber and Bolt of imposing unsustainable fare structures, with commissions as high as 25% per ride. Drivers also cited arbitrary account deactivations and lack of insurance as grievances. Union leader Tunde Afolabi called for a minimum fare increase and a commission cap at 10%, warning that failure to negotiate would halt services on Labour Day, a symbolic date for workers’ rights.
The strike threatens to disrupt urban mobility, with commuters bracing for chaos. Uber and Bolt have yet to respond publicly, but insiders suggest they may offer temporary incentives to avert the action. Nigeria’s ride-hailing market, one of Africa’s largest, faces scrutiny as drivers demand a fairer share of the $500 million industry. Economic analysts warn that unresolved tensions could spark broader labor unrest.
As the May 1 deadline approaches, drivers are mobilizing through rallies and social media campaigns. Will the companies meet their demands, or will Nigeria’s streets grind to a halt?