The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has strongly condemned Uber following the company’s abrupt withdrawal from the domestic ride-hailing market.
National Spokesperson Comrade Jossy Adaraniwon stated that the union criticised Uber for exiting without prior notice, a transition plan, or consultation with the thousands of drivers who built the platform’s local operations.
AUATON attributed Uber’s departure directly to what it described as an unsustainable business model.
According to the union, Uber institutionalised a system in Nigeria that rejected collective bargaining, ignored workers’ rights, and prioritised corporate profits over driver welfare.
This business strategy created a hyper-competitive environment that rival ride-hailing platforms eventually copied to secure market share.
The union issued a stern warning to remaining competitors Bolt and InDrive, asserting that they adopted Uber’s flawed operational template to push the pioneer platform out of the country.
AUATON noted that this ongoing strategy has resulted in longer passenger wait times, diminished driver revenues, and a shrinking pool of active drivers owing to poor working conditions.
“This should serve as a clear lesson to Bolt and InDrive,” Adaraniwon stated.
“If you continue to operate without creating a genuine atmosphere for collective bargaining with AUATON to protect and prioritise driver welfare, you will suffer the same fate. The moment an indigenous app with a collective agreement breaks into the market, platforms that refuse dialogue will exit.”
AUATON reaffirmed its core operational demands for the Nigerian ride-hailing sector:
Addressing its members nationwide, the union urged drivers to stay united and align themselves with platforms willing to engage in formal labour agreements.
AUATON emphasised that Uber’s exit proves that business models reliant on worker exploitation cannot survive long-term in Nigeria. Calling on foreign platforms to operate with accountability, the union signalled that the door for dialogue with Bolt and InDrive remains open, though time is rapidly running out.
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