Bolt and Uber drivers under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATON) staged a nationwide 24-hour service suspension on Thursday, May 1, to protest what they describe as persistent exploitation and poor treatment by ride-hailing companies.
The protest, which coincided with Workers’ Day celebrations, led to a formal petition to the Lagos State House of Assembly, outlining the union’s grievances and urgent demands.
Speaking in Lagos, AUATON spokesperson Steven Iwindoye said the protest highlights years of alleged abuse suffered by drivers on platforms like Uber, Bolt, inDrive, Lagride, and Rida.
“For too long, we have been subjected to exploitation, insecurity, and a lack of recognition,” the union stated.
“We have been paid below the cost price of premium services and forced to endure modern-day slavery in the form of technological manipulation.”
Among their demands, AUATON is calling for a 5% commission cap, price autonomy for drivers, and official recognition as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding transport ecosystem.
The union warned that if ride-hailing platforms continue to ignore drivers’ concerns, they will migrate en masse to new indigenous platforms that are more driver-friendly.
“If app companies — the app sharks — fail to comply, we shall massively move to new indigenous app companies who are ready and willing to meet our demands,” Iwindoye declared.
The union has urged the government to intervene and ensure fair labour practices in the digital transportation sector.
