Thousands of ride-hailing drivers in Lagos are planning to halt services on May 1, 2025, in protest against what they call unfair treatment by major app-based transport companies, including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, inDrive, and Rida.
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) says the 24-hour strike is aimed at drawing attention to poor wages, rising costs, and a lack of safety on the job. The action coincides with International Workers’ Day, a symbolic choice meant to highlight the ongoing struggles of gig economy workers.
“Despite our efforts to engage in dialogue, these companies have consistently prioritised their profits over our well-being,” said AUATON’s Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye.
Rising costs, low earnings
Drivers say they are burdened by high commission rates of 25-30%, while base fares have dropped to as low as ₦1,200 for a 10km trip. These earnings are being stretched even thinner due to the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, which caused a spike in petrol prices.
Many of the roughly 5,000 drivers participating in the strike say they struggle to cover basic expenses, let alone turn a profit.
A call for reform
As part of the protest, drivers will log off their apps and remain off the roads. Their key demands include: Better pay, Safer working conditions, Recognition of their rights as workers
AUATON has also announced plans to establish a negotiation framework after the strike, working alongside labour groups to push for long-term reforms in the ride-hailing sector.
“This is not just about drivers being off the road for one day,” the union said. “It’s about building a united front to demand dignity and fairness for the people who keep the digital transport economy running.”
This strike in Lagos follows similar protests by gig workers in the United States and South Africa, as calls for regulation and fairness grow louder across the global gig economy.
