The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Council, has called on drivers operating on Bolt and inDrive platforms to withdraw their services from today over concerns about fares, commissions, welfare and rising operating costs.
The union said the planned industrial action would continue indefinitely until its demands were addressed, accusing ride-hailing platforms of failing to adequately consider the economic realities facing drivers.
However, Bolt has called for constructive dialogue with the union, expressing its commitment to addressing drivers’ concerns and proposing a roundtable discussion with AUATON and driver representatives early next week.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, AUATON said drivers had repeatedly raised concerns about fare structures, platform commissions, welfare provisions and inadequate protection against arbitrary deactivation, but had yet to secure meaningful changes.
According to the union, drivers bear the costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, tyres, insurance, data, vehicle financing and depreciation, leaving many struggling to earn sustainable incomes.
Responding to the concerns in a statement on Saturday, Bolt said it recognised the economic pressures facing drivers and the need to maintain a sustainable environment in which they could earn and operate successfully.
The company said it had taken note of AUATON’s concerns about driver earnings, operating costs, platform charges, transparency and welfare.
It added that it continued to review ways to improve the driver experience and strengthen existing support mechanisms.
Bolt’s Head of Regulatory and Policy for Africa, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said the company took the concerns seriously and believed dialogue was the best way to resolve the dispute.
“Drivers are central to the ride-hailing ecosystem, and we recognise the economic realities they are navigating. We take the concerns being raised seriously and believe the best way forward is through constructive, open and solution-oriented engagement,” Aghadiuno said.
She said the company would focus on listening to drivers, understanding their concerns and identifying practical measures to improve their experience while ensuring that ride-hailing services remained safe, reliable and accessible.
Bolt said it was committed to engaging AUATON and driver representatives in a roundtable discussion early next week to exchange views and explore areas of collaboration.
The company also urged drivers to continue providing services to passengers while discussions were underway, expressing confidence that open communication and mutual understanding could strengthen relationships between drivers and ride-hailing platforms.
“We believe meaningful progress is best achieved through open communication, mutual understanding and solutions that consider the interests of drivers, passengers and the wider mobility ecosystem,” the company said.
Meanwhile, AUATON called on the Lagos State Government, relevant federal authorities and labour institutions to intervene in the dispute.
The union warned that the industry could not remain sustainable if drivers, who provide the vehicles, labour and other operational resources, were pushed into financial hardship.
“Technology must empower workers, not become a tool for modern-day economic exploitation,” the union said.
AUATON added that it was exploring alternative arrangements that would prioritise drivers’ economic interests, transparency, accountability and independence.
It urged affected drivers to remain united, disciplined and peaceful during the planned action, describing the shutdown as a statement on the value of their labour and the need for improved working conditions.
The proposed withdrawal of services could disrupt ride-hailing operations across Lagos if a significant number of drivers participate.
The extent of the disruption will depend partly on the level of participation and whether the planned engagement between Bolt, AUATON and driver representatives produces progress before or during the industrial action.
The position of inDrive on the planned shutdown and AUATON’s specific demands was not included in the statements available for this report.
