E-hailing drivers in Lagos State have begun an indefinite strike and protested against ride-hailing platforms Bolt and inDrive, demanding higher fares, lower commissions and improved working conditions amid rising fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.
The industrial action, announced by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), commenced on Monday, October 12, 2026. The union said the strike would continue until further notice or satisfactory progress was made in addressing drivers’ grievances.
AUATON said the strike followed unresolved concerns about drivers’ earnings, welfare, safety, security and operational policies.
“Despite repeated efforts by drivers and stakeholders to draw attention to these concerns, many of the issues remain unresolved,” the union said.
The union also appealed to fleet owners and managers to suspend daily remittance obligations and avoid penalising drivers for participating in the strike, noting that drivers would not be generating their usual income during the industrial action.
It said a task force would be deployed across local government areas in Lagos to monitor compliance with the strike directive, warning that drivers who continued operating in violation of its instructions could face internal disciplinary measures.
AUATON maintained that its objective was not to disrupt businesses unnecessarily but to secure better earnings and sustainable operating conditions for drivers. It added that improvements in welfare and remuneration could strengthen driver retention, support vehicle maintenance and reduce disputes between drivers and fleet partners.
The strike and protests underscore growing concerns among e-hailing drivers about the gap between their earnings and the rising cost of keeping their vehicles on the road, with operators calling for fare structures and commissions that better reflect current economic conditions.
