Ride-hailing drivers in Lagos have been told to switch off Bolt and inDrive from today, Monday 12 October, in an indefinite shutdown over fares, commissions and rising running costs. The Lagos State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) called the action, The Guardian Nigeria reported.
Bolt has responded by calling for talks, according to Technext, and has asked drivers to keep working while discussions take place.
If you rely on ride-hailing to get to work, school or the airport this week, expect fewer cars, longer waits and possibly higher prices.
What’s happening
| Detail | What’s been reported |
|---|---|
| Who called it | AUATON, Lagos State Council |
| Platforms targeted | Bolt and inDrive |
| Where | Lagos |
| Start | Monday, 12 October 2026 |
| How long | Indefinite |
| Bolt’s response | Proposed a roundtable with AUATON and driver representatives “early next week” |
| Government | The union has asked Lagos State, federal authorities and labour bodies to intervene |
The union has urged drivers to stay peaceful during the action.
What drivers want
According to the union’s statement, as reported by Technext and The Guardian, drivers are asking for:
- A fare review that reflects today’s economic conditions and the real cost of running a car.
- A lower commission, capped at no more than 10%, subject to negotiation.
- Transparency about any extra charges or deductions taken from their earnings.
The union says drivers carry almost all the costs of the work themselves: fuel, maintenance, tyres, insurance, data, vehicle financing and depreciation, plus government levies. With petrol at around ₦1,350–₦1,450 a litre and spare parts priced in dollars, many drivers say their take-home pay no longer covers those costs.
What a 10% cap would mean, in naira
Here’s a simple illustration of why commission matters so much to drivers. These figures are examples only, not Bolt’s or inDrive’s actual rates:
| Trip fare | Commission | Platform keeps | Driver keeps (before fuel and costs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₦5,000 | 20% | ₦1,000 | ₦4,000 |
| ₦5,000 | 15% | ₦750 | ₦4,250 |
| ₦5,000 | 10% (union’s cap) | ₦500 | ₦4,500 |
Over 15 trips a day, the gap between a 20% and a 10% commission on ₦5,000 fares would be about ₦7,500 a day for the driver. That’s before fuel, which for many drivers is the single biggest daily cost.
What Bolt says
Bolt’s Head of Regulatory and Policy in Africa, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said the company takes the drivers’ concerns seriously and favours “constructive, open and solution-oriented engagement”, according to Technext.
Bolt says it has noted the union’s concerns about driver earnings, operating costs, platform charges, transparency and welfare. It has proposed a roundtable with AUATON and driver representatives early next week, and is encouraging drivers to keep serving passengers while talks continue.
inDrive’s response had not been reported at the time of writing.
Why this keeps happening
This isn’t the first shutdown this year. In March 2026, AUATON led a three-day strike across Uber, Bolt, inDrive and LagRide in Lagos over low fares and rising costs. Many riders reported that most ride-hailing services were not working normally during that action.
Since then, the market has changed sharply:
- Uber stopped operating in Nigeria in early September, after 12 years.
- Moove, which financed thousands of cars for ride-hailing drivers, announced its exit from Nigeria on 8 October and handed eligible drivers ownership of their vehicles.
- Bolt and inDrive are now the biggest international ride-hailing apps left in Lagos, which puts them at the centre of drivers’ demands.
Drivers who now own their cars outright, including former Moove customers, may feel freer to stop working. Others who still owe weekly payments on financed vehicles may not be able to afford to.
What this means for Nigerians
For riders in Lagos
- Plan for fewer cars. If many drivers log off, expect long waits and failed requests, especially during the morning and evening rush.
- Watch for price surges. Fewer drivers usually means higher prices on the drivers who stay online.
- Have a back-up: BRT buses, the Lagos Blue and Red Line trains, licensed taxis, or the state-backed LagRide service where available.
- Check the apps before you leave home. Open Bolt or inDrive 15–20 minutes early to see waiting times and prices, so you can switch to another option quickly if cars are scarce.
- Leave earlier for flights, exams and important appointments, and avoid depending on a single app.
- Stay safe. Avoid unregistered “off-app” rides offered by strangers. If you take one, share your trip details with someone you trust.
For drivers
- Know the risks either way. Staying offline means lost income. Staying online during a union action can mean tension with colleagues. Make the choice that keeps you and your passengers safe.
- Keep records of your earnings, commission deductions and costs. Clear numbers make a stronger case in negotiations.
- Check your financing agreement if your car is on a lease or drive-to-own plan. Missed weekly payments can carry penalties.
For businesses
Companies that use Bolt or inDrive for staff transport or deliveries should arrange alternatives for this week, such as dedicated drivers, staff buses or flexible working hours.
For the wider tech scene
The dispute highlights a growing question for Nigeria’s platform economy: how to balance low prices for riders, fair pay for drivers and sustainable margins for the platforms. With Uber and Moove gone, regulators and the Lagos State Government may face more pressure to set clearer rules on fares, commissions and driver welfare.
What about Ghana and Kenya?
Ride-hailing drivers in Kenya and Ghana have staged similar protests over commissions and fares in recent years, and both countries have debated rules on how much platforms can take. The same pressures, rising fuel costs and low fares, are pushing drivers across Africa to organise.
What to watch next
- How many drivers log off today and whether the shutdown holds through the week.
- Bolt’s roundtable: whether talks happen early next week and lead to fare or commission changes.
- inDrive’s response to the union’s demands.
- Government action: whether the Lagos State Government or federal labour authorities step in.
Sources
- AUATON shutdown call: The Guardian Nigeria
- Bolt’s response and union demands: Technext
- March 2026 strike: Nairametrics; P.M. News
- Moove’s exit: Techpoint Africa
About the author: Steve Oke is the editor of TechPeza, where he covers AI tools, electric vehicles, home power, fintech and smartphones for African readers.
