The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has extended its shutdown of Bolt and inDrive services in Lagos State until Tuesday, demanding lower commissions, improved fares and better welfare for drivers.
The union said the extension followed what it described as a successful first day of industrial action on Monday, with drivers withdrawing their services across several parts of the state.
In a statement, AUATON’s Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, said reports from its mobilisation and compliance teams indicated widespread participation in communities and commercial centres across Lagos.
The affected areas included Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac Town, Surulere, Ikeja, Agege, Alagbado, Abule-Egba, Yaba, Shomolu, Kosofe, Ojodu-Berger, Ikorodu, Badagry, Lagos Island, Lekki, Ajah, Sangotedo and Ibeju-Lekki.
The union claimed that passengers in several locations had difficulty securing rides on the two platforms because of the withdrawal of services. However, the extent of the disruption could not be independently verified.
AUATON said drivers were facing mounting operating costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, repairs, tyres, insurance, loan repayments, mobile data and vehicle depreciation.
It argued that existing fare structures did not adequately reflect the cost of running vehicles, particularly amid traffic congestion and rising maintenance expenses.
The union is demanding that Bolt and inDrive introduce more sustainable fares, cap platform commissions at 10 per cent and provide greater transparency in fare calculations and deductions.
It is also seeking improved welfare and safety protections, as well as due process in the suspension or deactivation of drivers, including giving affected operators an opportunity to respond to allegations against them.
“We are not demanding empty promises, public relations statements, or meetings without outcomes,” the union said, insisting that any engagement with the companies must produce tangible progress on its demands.
AUATON urged the two platforms to negotiate with the union and recognised driver representatives, warning that the action would continue until meaningful progress was made.
The union also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, government authorities and other labour stakeholders to support efforts to resolve the dispute.
It said the protest went beyond the introduction of alternative ride-hailing applications, describing it as a broader struggle for fair earnings and better working conditions in the digital transport sector.
Responding to the dispute, Bolt Nigeria’s Public Relations Manager, Femi Adeyemo, said the company was willing to engage with drivers and address their concerns.
“We are determined to formally engage with the drivers and happy to take actions on their concerns,” Adeyemo said.
Efforts to obtain a response from inDrive Nigeria Country Manager, Timothy Oladimeji, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The shutdown comes amid tensions between ride-hailing operators and drivers over fare levels, platform deductions and the rising cost of maintaining vehicles.
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