LAGOS, Nigeria – Drivers under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos Council, have issued a stern ultimatum to ride-hailing giants Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride, warning of a potential mass migration to emerging indigenous platforms if their demands are not met.
The union’s Lagos spokesperson, Mr. Steven Iwindoye, in a statement released on Friday, May 2, 2025, outlined drivers’ grievances, citing unfair compensation, unsafe working conditions, and high commission rates as key points of contention.
“We are demanding fair compensation for services rendered, safer conditions for drivers and passengers, and a reduction in commission charges to five per cent,” Iwindoye said.
He condemned what he described as “a profit-first approach” by the multinational platforms, which he said has come at the expense of driver welfare and dignity.
“If these companies fail to comply, we will move en masse to indigenous app firms willing to meet our demands,” he said.
“Three such platforms are already functional, and our community is also building its own ride-hailing app to end the cycle of exploitation.”
The union’s warning comes just days after Nigerian app-based drivers joined a global 24-hour strike on May 1 — International Workers’ Day — targeting major platforms in protest of low fares, high commissions, and what the union called “modern-day slavery.”
Iwindoye noted that the union’s national leadership had submitted a formal petition to the National Assembly to advocate for stronger labour protections.
He added that the Lagos State House of Assembly and other local regulatory authorities would soon receive petitions.
“After this, we’ll announce a picketing date to take our demands directly to these app companies,” Iwindoye said.
“We won’t rest until our goals are met. All relevant authorities, including the government, will feel our impact.”
AUATON, which has been at the forefront of organising gig economy workers, said the recent industrial action marked a “new era of resistance” and unity among Nigeria’s app-based transport workers.
The affected ride-hailing companies have not yet issued formal responses to the union’s threat as of press time.
