Uber Technologies Inc. has disclosed that drivers using its platform in Nigeria collectively earn an estimated ₦6.1 billion annually, even as a widespread strike by ride-hailing operators continues to disrupt transportation services in Lagos.
The strike, which began earlier in the week, has persisted for several days, significantly affecting ride availability across the city. Drivers affiliated with major platforms, including Uber, Bolt, and inDrive, have logged off their applications in protest.
According to statements from driver unions, the industrial action was triggered by rising fuel and maintenance costs, low fare rates, and what they describe as unfavourable working conditions. The protest has once again highlighted ongoing tensions within Lagos’s rapidly expanding ride-hailing sector.
In response, Uber reiterated the importance of drivers to its operations, noting that it remains committed to constructive engagement through dialogue and regular stakeholder meetings. The company emphasised that drivers are at the core of its business model and pledged to continue discussions aimed at addressing their concerns.
The ₦6.1 billion figure, drawn from Uber’s 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria, represents the estimated total additional income earned by drivers nationwide through the platform. However, the company clarified that individual earnings vary depending on factors such as hours worked, number of trips completed, and operational expenses.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2014 with operations in Lagos, Uber has expanded its services to other cities, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, becoming one of the dominant players in the country’s ride-hailing industry alongside Bolt and inDrive.
This is not the first time drivers in Lagos have embarked on a strike. Similar actions in the past have been driven by concerns over commission rates, fare structures, and increasing operational costs. The recurring disputes underscore the persistent friction between drivers and ride-hailing companies, despite the significant revenue opportunities within the sector.
Uber has indicated its preference for dialogue over confrontation, with ongoing discussions expected to shape future decisions on pricing, commissions, and general operational standards in Lagos’s ride-hailing market.
