LAGOS, Nigeria — On May 1, 2025, app-based transport drivers in Lagos, united under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), plan a 24-hour service shutdown to protest low wages and exploitative practices by companies like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive.
The strike coincides with International Workers’ Day, aiming to raise awareness about the challenges drivers face daily. Approximately 5,000 drivers are expected to participate, condemning excessive commission rates of 25-30% and fares as low as N1,200 for 10-kilometer trips, especially after fuel prices surged following the subsidy removal in 2023.
“Despite our efforts to engage in dialogue, these companies have consistently prioritized their profits over our well-being,” said Steven Iwindoye, AUATON’s Public Relations Officer. “They’ve ignored our pleas for fair compensation, safe working conditions, and respect for our rights as workers.”
Drivers are particularly upset about company policies like mandatory facial recognition systems and insufficient rider identification that compromise their safety. The protest seeks to push for better compensation, a safer work environment, and recognition of their rights.
“This is not just about drivers being off the road for one day,” the union stated. “It’s about building a united front to demand dignity and fairness for the people who keep the digital transport economy running.”
In recent months, there have been rising tensions within the sector. Earlier this year, Bolt’s decision to cut fares by 50% sparked outrage among drivers already struggling to earn a living. “The only play inDrive has is a low price. Nothing more,” one driver criticized, highlighting the unsustainable pressure on workers.
AUATON intends to use this strike as a foundation for future negotiations, working with other labor groups to seek reforms that protect drivers’ rights. “Believe me, this will be different,” Iwindoye stated regarding the upcoming shutdown. “We aim to mobilize at least 5,000 drivers.”
The initiative follows a trend seen globally, with similar protests occurring in countries like the United States and South Africa, where gig workers seek fair treatment in the evolving labor landscape.
The striking drivers assert that they will no longer tolerate unfair conditions and will make their demands clear to ride-hailing companies. “This job is ridiculing a lot of drivers,” one participant reflected, “Some drivers can’t even fix their vehicles when they break down.”
