Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria has declared an indefinite shutdown of Bolt and inDrive apps in Lagos beginning Monday, October 12, 2026, in a major escalation of the dispute over commissions, fare structures and driver welfare that threatens to paralyse one of Africa's busiest transport corridors and leave thousands of commuters stranded.
The union, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, announced the action in a statement signed by the Chairman of its Lagos State Council, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez. The shutdown is intended to draw attention to the plight of e-hailing drivers and other app workers, and to force the two major platforms to the negotiating table. "The proposed Mega Shutdown is a structured and collective industrial action intended to draw the attention of relevant stakeholders, regulatory authorities and app-based transport companies to the legitimate concerns of drivers. It is a coordinated demand for fairness, transparency, dignity, welfare and sustainable working conditions for app-based transporters," the statement read.
At the heart of the dispute is the commission structure. AUATON is demanding that Bolt and inDrive reduce their commissions to a maximum of 10 per cent, down from rates that drivers say currently exceed 25 per cent on some trips. Bolt has disputed the figure, saying its commission stands at 20 per cent in Lagos and 21 per cent in Abuja, inclusive of VAT, and that drivers retain over 75 per cent of the fare. The union has also demanded a fare review to reflect prevailing economic realities and the actual cost of operating a vehicle, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, financing obligations, data costs and government levies. "An acceptable fare structure must take into account the cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, financing and remittance obligations, data costs, government levies, traffic and waiting time, and a reasonable income for the driver," the union said.
The shutdown comes against a backdrop of rising operational costs that have squeezed driver earnings. The Dangote Refinery raised its petrol price from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre on September 12, 2026, pushing some Lagos pumps close to N1,400 per litre, while app fares have not moved to match. The impact of the subsidy removal in May 2023 continues to be felt across the transport sector, and e-hailing drivers have been among the hardest hit. The situation has been compounded by the exit of Uber from Nigeria on September 2, 2026, after 12 years of operations, following years of driver protests over commissions and rising costs. With Uber gone, drivers say Bolt and inDrive inherited its riders and its worst practices.
The human dimension of the crisis was captured by one veteran driver, a father of three, who laid out a handwritten earnings breakdown at an AUATON gathering in Ikeja. Column by column, trip by trip, the numbers showed a man working 14-hour days to clear less than he earned driving a traditional minibus a decade ago. The union has described the situation as "digital bonded labour," trapping workers in a cycle where monthly net incomes barely cover vehicle maintenance, insurance and basic household expenses.
AUATON is seeking a range of additional reforms beyond the commission cap and fare review. It wants an end to fare and commission manipulation, requiring that any significant change to fares, commissions, subscriptions or other financial terms be preceded by meaningful consultation with driver representatives. It is also demanding that Bolt and inDrive establish welfare structures for drivers, including health insurance, accident support, emergency assistance and retirement protection. The union further wants transparency in trip pricing, with platforms providing clear information on passenger fares, driver earnings, platform commission, discounts and other deductions. "Drivers should be able to understand exactly how the amount credited to them was calculated," the union said. It is also calling for proper rider verification, including consideration of NIN-linked identity checks subject to Nigerian privacy and data protection laws, to reduce impersonation, fraud, robbery and assault.
The union has acknowledged that drivers' financial obligations could limit participation in the strike, as many operate under hire-purchase arrangements, rentals, daily remittances and other repayment commitments. In anticipation of this challenge, AUATON has engaged Moove, LagRide and other Lagos State vehicle financing organisations to seek remittance relief during the industrial action, asking them to consider suspending or deferring repayments for drivers participating in the shutdown. The union has also proposed engaging credible Nigerian mobility platforms capable of providing drivers with an alternative operating environment during the strike. "The objective is not merely to replace one application with another. The objective is to promote an industry model that places drivers at the centre of its economic structure," the union said.
Bolt has called for dialogue ahead of the planned shutdown. In a message to Technext, the company said it had noted the concerns raised by AUATON regarding driver earnings, operating costs, platform charges, transparency and welfare. "We take the concerns being raised seriously and believe the best way forward is through constructive, open and solution-oriented engagement. Our focus is on listening, understanding the issues and identifying practical ways to strengthen the driver experience while ensuring that ride-hailing remains safe, reliable and accessible for everyone," said Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt's Head of Regulatory and Policy in Africa. The company said it was committed to engaging AUATON and driver representatives in a roundtable discussion in the coming week and encouraged drivers not to down tools ahead of the conversations. inDrive had not issued a formal public response to the ultimatum as of the time of reporting.
The planned shutdown has significant implications for Lagos commuters, who may face longer wait times, higher transport costs and fewer ride options. The timing is particularly difficult as the city heads into the ember months, when demand for transport typically increases. The dispute also reflects broader tensions in Nigeria's gig economy, where platform workers across sectors are increasingly organising to demand better pay, transparency and welfare protections. For now, the shutdown is set to begin on October 12, and the coming days will determine whether Bolt and inDrive can reach an agreement with the union before the apps go dark.
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