Uber, Bolt Drivers Go on Strike Over Fare Rates, Escalating Costs

Getting a ride in Lagos just got a lot harder. From Monday, 16th March, thousands of drivers on Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride have logged off their apps — and they may not be coming back anytime soon.

The shutdown, billed to run from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th March, is the outcome of months of complaints that went largely unaddressed by the ride-hailing platforms. The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State chapter, made the announcement at a press briefing on Sunday.

Union spokesperson Steven Iwindoye did not mince his words. According to him, drivers have been pushed to the wall. Fuel prices keep climbing. Vehicle repairs keep getting costlier. Yet, the platforms have done almost nothing to adjust the fares that drivers earn per trip.

“Drivers operating on platforms such as Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride face rising operational costs, including high fuel prices, vehicle maintenance, inflation, and daily living expenses. Unfortunately, the fare structures and policies of these companies have not been adjusted to reflect these economic realities,” Iwindoye said.

The timing is not a coincidence. The ongoing U.S.–Iran war has caused a steep surge in crude oil prices over recent weeks, pushing petrol costs up by nearly 50%. For drivers who fill their tanks daily, that kind of increase is simply devastating.

What the Drivers Are Actually Asking For

The strike is not just about venting frustration. AUATON has put together a clear list of 10 demands, presented to both the ride-hailing companies and government authorities.

At the top of the list is an immediate fare review that reflects the true cost of fuel, maintenance, and inflation. Beyond that, drivers are pressing for a cut in the commission percentages that platforms currently take per trip. They are also calling for a regulated minimum base fare — a floor below which no ride should be priced — to stop the race to the bottom on pricing.

Safety is equally on the agenda. Drivers want better rider verification, working emergency panic buttons, and faster responses to security threats. They are also pushing for comprehensive insurance coverage — accident, health, and life — for drivers while on active duty.

This is not the first time AUATON has tried to push for change. Earlier, the union rejected an invitation from Bolt to attend a roundtable, accusing the company of using such meetings as a divide-and-conquer tactic to break driver unity just as strike action looms.

Iwindoye made clear that the strike is not designed to punish everyday commuters. However, he was equally clear about what happens if the platforms and government stay silent. At the end of the three-day shutdown, the union will review whatever responses it has received — and then decide whether to end the action or push it further.