May Day strike grounds ride-hailing in Nigeria as drivers demand fairer terms from Uber, Bolt

They kept their promise! Nigerian ride-hailing drivers under the App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) finally made good on their threat to hold the nationwide May Day strike, paralysing ride-hailing services across major Nigerian cities.

The coordinated action, part of a global log-off campaign, saw thousands of drivers affiliated with platforms like Uber, Bolt and InDrive turn off their apps in protest against poor pay, high commissions, and exploitative policies. In Lagos, over 500 of them converged at Onikan stadium as early as 7am to press home demands.

AUATON’s National Treasurer, Jolaiya Moses, confirmed that drivers have withdrawn services as part of a “global call” to resist what he described as platform-driven labour oppression.

“Yes, it’s a global call,” Moses said in a statement shared with this publication. “We are using today to show the app companies that we are not their slaves. They’ve virtually turned our job into slavery. Deciding prices over the car they did not buy, the car they did not maintain or drive, or the rider they did not interface with.”

According to AUATON, drivers across Nigeria are earning less than expected after factoring in fuel, maintenance, and platform commission charges despite operating in one of the world’s most inflation-affected economies. The union has long criticised Uber and Bolt for unilateral pricing decisions, poor driver safety protocols, and high commission fees that have led to unsustainable working conditions.

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“Car owners are withdrawing vehicles from the industry as profits have been eroded. Drivers are turning to other menial jobs,” Moses said. “Those who remain face risks from poorly vetted riders, including incidents of car theft and physical assault.”

The May Day strike follows months of growing discontent within Nigeria’s informal digital transport sector. In the weeks leading up to the protest, AUATON had issued demands including a fare adjustment to match current fuel and operational costs, a reduction in platform commissions, and proper union representation during decision-making processes. The union accused the app companies of breaching agreements, stating that prior understandings were quietly reversed without prior consultation.

“All that we are saying is: no more dictatorship,” Moses added. “Those who suffer on the road must be adequately represented anytime a decision that affects them is made.”

This year’s May Day action forms part of a broader global labor resistance within the gig economy. Drivers in other countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, and India, have also staged strikes and legal battles against major ride-hailing platforms. Many are calling for regulatory protections, better wages, and union recognition.

As of Thursday afternoon, Uber and Bolt had not issued formal responses to the protest in Nigeria. However, users in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt reported difficulty booking rides, with increased pricing and longer wait times signalling a coordinated withdrawal of driver activity. “It is a day to reflect on the civil rights of citizens across the country. For AUATON, we are protesting our grievance to the app companies, with a request for commission reduction and an increase in welfare conditions for members,” National Vice President for the union, Southwest Nigeria, Kolawole Aina said. “All members will log off their app today. So you may experience some level of disruption in rides today,” he added.

Whether the strike will prompt concessions remains uncertain, but for AUATON and its members, the message is clear: ride-hailing drivers are no longer willing to be silent participants in a system they claim exploits their labour while insulating platform owners from the real costs of doing business on Nigerian roads.