UBER SEEKS DIALOGUE AS LAGOS DRIVERS’ STRIKE DISRUPTS RIDE-HAILING SERVICES

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Uber Technologies has affirmed its commitment to engaging in dialogue with drivers following a strike by app-based transport operators that has disrupted ride-hailing services in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The industrial action, which began on Monday and continued through Tuesday, remains ongoing on Wednesday, affecting platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and inDrive.

Drivers went offline to protest rising operating costs, low fares, and challenging working conditions. Union leaders are calling for higher fares, lower commission fees, and enhanced protections for drivers. The strike has temporarily reduced ride availability across Nigeria’s most populous city.

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 launched operations in Nigeria in 2014, beginning in Lagos before expanding to cities including Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. Since its entry, the company has become a key player in the country’s ride-hailing sector, alongside competitors such as Bolt and inDrive.

Highlighting the income opportunities generated for drivers, Uber cited its 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria, which estimates that drivers collectively earn an additional N6.1 billion annually through the platform.

“Uber’s 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria shows that the platform continues to provide significant earning opportunities, with drivers estimated to earn an additional N6.1 billion annually through their use of the Uber app,” the company stated.

The firm added that it continually monitors local market conditions to ensure the platform aligns with the realities faced by drivers.