If you tried to book a Bolt or inDrive ride in Lagos on Monday morning, you probably waited longer and paid more than usual. Many of the drivers who keep the city moving had switched off their apps on purpose.
The Lagos State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, began an indefinite strike against Bolt and inDrive on Monday, 12 October 2026. The union says the strike will continue until there is satisfactory progress on its demands, chief among them a cap of 10 percent on the commission the platforms take from every trip.
It comes just six weeks after Uber shut down its Nigerian operations, leaving Bolt and inDrive as the main ride-hailing options in Africa's largest city.
Lagos ride-hailing drivers want a fare review and a commission cap of 10 percent. Riders reported waits of 16 to 20 minutes and higher surge fares on the first day of the strike.
READ ALSO: Moove Quits Nigeria and Hands Drivers ₦35 Billion in Cars on Its Way Out
What the Drivers Want
In a statement signed by its public relations officer, Steven Iwindoye, AUATON said rising costs of "petrol, repairs, tyres, insurance, internet data and vehicle loans" have eaten into what drivers take home, while fares and commissions have not moved to match.
The union's demands, as reported by Pulse Nigeria and Technext, are:
- A review of fares to reflect current operating costs.
- A commission of no more than 10 percent, subject to negotiation, with clear explanations of any other charges or deductions.
- An end to what drivers call fare and commission manipulation.
- Real consultation with driver representatives before any change to fares, commissions or subscriptions.
- Protection against what the union calls arbitrary account deactivation.
Bolt's own Nigeria driver guide lists a 20 percent commission, and some drivers say they pay as much as 25 percent once other charges are added. These are the union's and drivers' claims, not findings by a regulator.
"The app companies will no longer determine the price of our service. They are middlemen," said Jaiyesimi Azeez, chairman of AUATON's Lagos council, according to Technext.
How the Union Is Enforcing It
AUATON has asked fleet owners and managers to give drivers temporary relief from daily remittance targets while the strike lasts, since drivers will not be earning their usual income. Many Lagos ride-hailing drivers rent their cars and must pay owners a fixed amount every day or week.
The union says it will deploy a task force in every local government area to monitor compliance, and that drivers who defy its directives could face sanctions under its internal rules. It has also asked the Lagos State Government, federal authorities and labour institutions to step in, and says it is exploring arrangements that would make drivers less dependent on the foreign apps.
How many drivers logged off is not clear, but riders complained of long waits, few cars and higher fares on day one.
What Bolt and inDrive Said
Bolt says it is listening. Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt's head of regulatory and policy for Africa, said the company "takes the concerns seriously" and recognises the economic pressure drivers are under. Bolt has proposed a roundtable with the union and driver representatives for early next week, and urged drivers to "keep accepting trips while the meeting is arranged."
inDrive pushed back on the commission complaint. "We still charge the lowest commission fee in the industry," said Timothy Oladimeji, inDrive's country director in Nigeria, in a statement reported by Technext. The company pointed to its Comfort option, which it says lets drivers with eligible 2008 or newer cars earn about 30 percent more on qualifying trips, and to health and insurance partnerships with Heala and MyCover.
READ ALSO: NCC Starts 30-Day Countdown to Cut Off Unapproved Phones: How to Check Yours
Why This Strike Feels Different
Lagos drivers have gone on strike before, including a three-day action earlier this year. What has changed is the market. Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September after 12 years, and Moove, which financed cars for thousands of ride-hailing drivers, announced its own exit last week.
With fewer players, drivers have more reason to push, and the remaining platforms have more to lose if riders find the service unreliable. At the same time, drivers cannot stay offline for long. Most have rent, school fees and loan repayments to cover, which is why the union has been looking for an alternative platform before cutting ties completely.
What This Means for You
For Lagos riders, expect longer waits and higher fares while the strike lasts. Compare prices across apps and keep a backup plan for important trips.
For drivers, the outcome of Bolt's proposed roundtable matters most. A lower commission or a fare review would put more money in their pockets. A deal that changes nothing could push more of them off the apps for good.
For Nigeria's tech scene, the strike is another sign that the ride-hailing model is under strain. Rising costs and thin margins are squeezing everyone, from the global platforms to the driver who rents a car by the week.
With Uber gone and Moove leaving, Lagos drivers are betting that Bolt and inDrive need them more than ever. The roundtable Bolt has proposed for next week will show whether that bet pays off.
