The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has intensified calls for tighter regulation of international ride-hailing giants, Uber and Bolt, accusing them of exploiting Nigerian drivers through excessive commission charges, weak safety protocols, and opaque pricing systems.
At a press conference held Thursday in Lagos, the NLC, working in tandem with the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), voiced its concerns following a public hearing by the Lagos State House of Assembly in response to a petition filed by AUATON with NLC’s backing.
“They take as much as 35% from each trip, provide no insurance, and often turn a blind eye when drivers are injured or killed on duty,” said Agnes Sessi, NLC Lagos Chairperson.
“This is nothing short of digital-era colonialism.”
The unions accused the ride-hailing platforms of failing to prioritize driver safety and welfare.
One of the most emotional testimonies presented during last week’s hearing came from Biola Olabanji, the widow of a Bolt driver murdered during a ride in 2021.
She revealed the company never reached out to her family after the incident.
A female passenger also recounted how she survived a violent assault during a ride, attributing her ordeal to poor background checks and the absence of an emergency response system.
AUATON further alleged that trip histories in such cases are sometimes deleted, complicating investigations.
“Drivers are not disposable tools,” said Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, AUATON Lagos Chairman. “We are human beings with families who deserve dignity and protection.”
Beyond safety concerns, the unions took issue with the fare structure of the platforms, saying drivers have no say in pricing decisions—despite being responsible for fuel, vehicle maintenance, and customer service.
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“We had jobs before these apps came. They only brought the software,” said AUATON PRO, Steven Iwindoye.
“We do all the work, and yet they take the lion’s share. It’s like a landlord fixing prices in someone else’s shop.”
They called for the creation of a joint fare review committee, comprising drivers, platform operators, and government agencies, to ensure fair and transparent fare-setting processes.
The unions applauded the Lagos State House of Assembly for initiating the public hearing and urged the state legislature to enact laws that ensure fair pay, greater transparency, and improved safety standards across Nigeria’s growing e-hailing sector.
They also called for the domestication of regional e-hailing regulations to address Lagos-specific challenges.
The NLC and AUATON warned that if their concerns are not addressed, drivers may escalate their actions. Earlier in May, ride-hailing drivers marked Workers’ Day with a one-day strike, protesting poor working conditions and high commission rates.
Uber and Bolt were contacted for comment but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.