Four weeks after Uber left Nigeria, the two ride-hailing apps still holding Lagos may be about to go dark too.
The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has declared a “mega shutdown” of Bolt and inDrive in Lagos this October. Its Lagos chairman, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, says the goal is to force both companies to the table over fares, commissions, and welfare. For a city already paying more per trip and heading into the ember months, the timing is terrible.
How we got here:
Uber shut down on September 2, 2026, ending 12 years in Nigeria, after years of driver protests over commissions and rising costs since the 2023 subsidy removal. AUATON warned that Bolt and inDrive had adopted the same practices. With Uber gone, drivers say the two apps inherited its riders and its worst habits.
What drivers want
- A commission cap of 10%. Bolt currently takes 20%, per its driver guide.
- A fare review that reflects today’s cost of running a car.
- Clear trip breakdowns showing what riders paid and what drivers received.
- Consultation before fare or policy changes.
- Health insurance, accident cover and emergency support.
inDrive is already being summoned:
About 2,000 drivers under the Drivers Liberation Movement petitioned the Public Complaints Commission, accusing inDrive of unfair fare cuts, arbitrary deactivations and commissions as high as 25%. The PCC has invited inDrive to a hearing on Monday, October 5, 2026, in Lagos. Bolt is expected to be next.
Fuel is doing the rest
Dangote Refinery raised its petrol price from ₦1,265 to ₦1,350 per litre on September 12, pushing some Lagos pumps close to ₦1,400. App fares have not moved to match. Bolt Comfort drivers say fares in that category have actually dropped since Uber left, and some have stopped turning on the AC in protest.
Will Lagos actually lose its rides?
Maybe not. Azeez has admitted past strikes collapsed because drivers cannot stay offline with rent, loans, and daily remittances due. So the union is lining up local platforms for drivers to use during the shutdown, and says it remains open to talks with Bolt and inDrive. No fixed shutdown date has been widely published yet.
