Lagos state summons Uber, Bolt, others over alleged unfair practices in ride-hailing sector

The Lagos State Government has invited major ride-hailing companies operating within the state to a public dialogue following a formal petition from the Lagos chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON).

The petition, presented to the Lagos State House of Assembly, alleges unfair labour practices, insecurity, and regulatory non-compliance among app-based transport platforms like Uber, Bolt, Rida, Indrive, and LagosRide (LAGRIDE).

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The public hearing is scheduled to hold tomorrow at the Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja. It will be conducted by the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions, and  Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

According to Jaiyesimi Azeez, Lagos State Chairman of AUATON, the petition highlights numerous issues plaguing the industry, such as the absence of a centralised driver identification system, lack of proper passenger verification, exploitative pricing algorithms, poor driver welfare systems, suppression of union activity and inconsistent commission structures

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“These companies have profited significantly from the labor of Nigerian workers, yet they have consistently failed to implement basic safeguards for app-based transport workers,” said Azeez. “This negligence has led to a disturbing rise in violence, harm, and even fatalities involving drivers and passengers.”

Despite the National Collective Agreement adopted in May 2024, Azeez claims that most ride-hailing platforms have failed to comply with its provisions or engage in constructive dialogue with workers’ representatives.

The upcoming hearing aims to hold the companies accountable while addressing systemic issues within the gig economy. AUATON hopes the dialogue will lead to a framework for safer, fairer, and more transparent ride-hailing operations in Lagos State.

The ride-hailing sector, once seen as a driver of Lagos’ urban economy, is now struggling under macroeconomic headwinds. With falling earnings and worsening driver conditions, the union insists that urgent intervention is necessary to restore equity and sustainability in the sector.