Lagos Probes Uber, Bolt over Driver Complaints

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned five major ride-hailing companies — Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide — for a public hearing over alleged labour violations. The hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, follows a formal petition by a drivers’ union accusing the firms of exploitative practices, safety risks, and union suppression.

In a statement shared on Monday, Mr Steven Iwindoye, spokesperson for the Lagos chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), confirmed the invitation and outlined the union’s expectations. The hearing aims to address concerns about poor working conditions and seek regulatory safeguards in Nigeria’s rapidly growing gig economy.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide to appear for a public hearing… to address the growing unrest in the ride-hailing sector and create a framework for safer, fairer, and more accountable operations in the Nigerian gig economy,” said AUATON chairman, Mr Azeez Jaiyesimi.

Labour Tensions Reach a Tipping Point

At the heart of this development is a petition submitted by AUATON, titled: “Public Petition Against Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide for Non-Compliance with the National Collective Agreement and Corporate Negligence, Resulting in the Victimisation of App-Based Transport Workers in Nigeria.” The document lists several accusations that spotlight the fragile state of labour relations within Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry.

The union claims that drivers face unjust pricing policies, receive minimal welfare support, and are consistently left out of major operational decisions. Drivers also report profiling practices and say some platforms fail to implement adequate passenger safety protocols.

More worrying for the union is the alleged suppression of collective bargaining. The petition notes that many platforms still refuse to implement the National Collective Agreement, despite earlier discussions and mounting public pressure.

“There’s a clear pattern of neglect. Drivers are excluded from pricing talks, face exploitative commissions, and are left with no emergency support,” the union said.

This hearing could be a defining moment in the country’s app-based transport industry. With the Lagos State government already expressing concerns over the sector’s unregulated growth, the Assembly’s decision to step in may pave the way for stricter standards on worker rights and corporate responsibility.