Uber Nigeria driver earnings hit N6.1bn annually as Lagos strike by drivers disrupts services and raises concerns over fares and conditions

Uber Technologies Inc. has stated that its platform supports an estimated ₦6.1bn in annual collective income for drivers in Nigeria, as app-based transport operators continued a disruptive strike across Lagos.

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The industrial action, which began on Monday and persisted through Wednesday, affected major ride-hailing platforms including Bolt and inDrive, leading to reduced ride availability in the country’s commercial hub.

Union representatives said the walkout was triggered by rising operational costs, low fares and difficult working conditions, with drivers logging off their applications in protest.

In response, Uber said drivers remain central to its operations and reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, noting that it engages operators through regular roundtable discussions.

The company clarified that the ₦6.1bn figure, drawn from its 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria, represents total additional income generated by drivers using the platform nationwide rather than individual earnings.

According to Uber, actual driver income varies depending on the number of trips completed, hours worked and associated operating expenses such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.

The Uber Nigeria driver earnings figure comes amid renewed scrutiny of working conditions within Lagos’s rapidly expanding ride-hailing sector, where tensions between platforms and drivers have persisted.

This is not the first such strike. Previous protests have centred on similar concerns, including commission rates and fare structures, underscoring a pattern of friction despite the platform’s growing economic footprint.

Uber, which began operations in Nigeria in 2014 and later expanded to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, said it remains committed to constructive engagement rather than confrontation.

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Industry observers say the outcome of ongoing discussions could prove decisive, potentially shaping fare policies, commission structures and broader operational standards across the ride-hailing market in Lagos.