Thousands of ride-hailing drivers in Lagos under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) have announced plans to stage a 24-hour strike on May 1, 2025, to protest what they describe as exploitative practices by major platforms, including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, inDrive, and Rida.
The union, representing approximately 5,000 drivers, said the protest aims to draw attention to poor compensation, unsafe working conditions, and rising operational costs that have plagued Nigeria’s $273 million ride-hailing industry.
AUATON’s Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, disclosed that commission rates on the platforms range between 25 to 30 percent, while drivers earn as little as N1,200 for trips covering up to 10 kilometres—earnings that have become unsustainable since the removal of petrol subsidies in 2023.
“Despite multiple attempts at engagement, the companies have remained indifferent to our plight,” Iwindoye said in a statement. “They continue to prioritise profits over drivers’ welfare and have refused to address our demands for fair compensation and safer conditions.”
As part of the planned action, drivers will log out of the apps and suspend services for the entire day, which coincides with International Workers’ Day. The move aligns with global protests against unfair practices in the gig economy, similar to those recently staged in the United States and South Africa.
The union also revealed plans to push for a structured negotiation framework post-strike in collaboration with organised labour bodies to demand reforms.
“This is more than a day-long protest,” AUATON said. “It’s a statement of solidarity and a call for dignity and fairness for the workforce that powers Nigeria’s digital transport sector.”
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