The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in collaboration with the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), has launched a scathing critique of global ride-hailing giants Uber and Bolt, citing exploitative commission rates, inadequate safety measures, and lack of accountability for driver welfare.
At a joint press conference held in Lagos on Thursday, the unions called for immediate regulatory intervention by both state and federal governments. The statement follows a public hearing at the Lagos State House of Assembly triggered by a formal petition from AUATON, backed by the NLC.
NLC Lagos Chapter Chairperson, Agnes Sessi, did not mince words, accusing the ride-hailing platforms of operating with “neo-colonial business models” that disproportionately profit at the expense of Nigerian drivers.
“Drivers are charged up to 35% in commission per trip. These companies contribute nothing to our healthcare or insurance systems and vanish into silence when tragedies occur,” she said.
Sessi emphasized that despite the billions in naira generated by these platforms annually, drivers remain largely unprotected from occupational hazards, unfair pricing, and exploitative policies.
Several testimonies presented during the hearing shed light on the human cost of the current ride-hailing framework.
One such case was that of Biola Olabanji, the widow of a Bolt driver murdered during a trip in 2021. According to Olabanji, the company never contacted the family, offered no compensation, and deleted her husband’s trip history—thereby hindering any form of legal recourse or justice.
Another harrowing account came from a female passenger who survived an assault during a ride. She blamed lax background checks and ineffective emergency protocols on the part of the platform. AUATON stated that such incidents are not isolated and accused the platforms of deliberately removing trip records in controversial cases to avoid liability.
AUATON Lagos Chairman, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, noted that the union is not against technology or innovation but insists on equity and human dignity in how the services are administered.
“We are not just numbers on an app; we are people with families and financial responsibilities. The platforms must begin to treat us with respect and fairness,” he said.
AUATON is advocating for a tripartite pricing review mechanism that would include driver unions, app companies, and government regulators. The goal is to ensure fares reflect current economic realities for both passengers and drivers.
“The current fare structure is one-sided. Drivers have no input despite being the backbone of the service. Imagine a landlord setting prices in a tenant’s shop — that’s how unfair the current setup is,” said Steven Iwindoye, Public Relations Officer for AUATON Lagos.
The union praised the Lagos State House of Assembly for granting drivers a platform to voice their grievances and called for urgent legislation tailored to the dynamics of Lagos’ transport ecosystem. They proposed the domestication of regional e-hailing laws to enhance transparency, driver earnings, and public safety.
The ongoing dispute highlights a long-standing tension between app-based transport companies and their drivers. Earlier this year, drivers marked International Workers’ Day with a one-day strike over low fares and unsafe working conditions. AUATON has warned that further industrial action — including mass protests and the picketing of ride-hailing offices — may follow if their demands remain unmet.
With no official response from Uber or Bolt at the time of publishing, public pressure is mounting on the platforms to address these growing concerns. Stakeholders argue that in an economy increasingly shaped by gig work, ethical practices must evolve alongside technological innovation.
As the conversation intensifies, the unions are urging all stakeholders — including riders, lawmakers, and civil society — to demand a safer, more just digital transport ecosystem in Nigeria.