‘Some of us died in the process’- Moove drivers react to exit

As news continues to filter in about the circumstances surrounding the exit of Moove from the Nigerian market, drivers of the vehicle financing company are reacting to the development, with many expressing relief that their ordeal at the hands of the company is coming to an end.

Moove gave out its Suzuki Xpresso vehicles to drivers on a four-year drive-to-own contract with a strict N56,200 weekly remittance, which later rose to N112,400, a whopping 100 per cent increase. And within those four years, they appear to be grinding under conditions that can be described as rigorous.

“We came, we saw, and we conquered,” one driver simply said.

“Congratulations to all Moove drivers who endured to stay put till today. At least life begins smoothly now. It can only be God,” another driver said, pointing at the turmoil that has characterised the company’s relationship with its drivers.

Another driver pointed out that the company needed to reach out to its older drivers, many of whom toiled for a very long time but didn’t end up getting vehicles. Another driver recalled some drivers who died trying to meet their obligations.

“Every Moove driver is a hero. We have laboured for long time, and some even died in the process. To God be the glory for everything,” he said.

Moove’s frosty history with drivers

Moove announced its exit from the Nigerian market on Thursday, October 8. In its exit notice, the company had nothing but thanks for its drivers.

“Jide and I started the company because talented, hardworking mobility entrepreneurs wanted the opportunity to earn, but could not get access to the vehicles and finance they needed. Our first customers trusted us when Moove was still an idea, and that trust made everything that followed possible, and for that we thank you,” Ladi Delano, Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Advisory Board Chairman of Moove, said.

Read also: Moove Nigeria exit: Drivers’ union hails ₦35 billion vehicle ownership transfer

Like every other company offering loans and related services to Nigerians, Moove’s relationship with its drivers has always been frosty, with many describing it as tumultuous. The first major clash between drivers and the company was as far back as 2022, when drivers protested what they described as injustices and inhumanity meted out to them by the company.

One of these injustices, according to the drivers, includes the sudden hike in the payment for their hire-purchase vehicles from N8 million to a whopping N12 million.

Another injustice is the sudden hike in their daily remittance from 35% of gross income to a total of N14,400/day. According to them, this is roughly 80% of the drivers ‘ daily average income of N18,000. This is aside from personal expenses like fueling the car and data purchases. This amounts to a total of N66,000 per week.

The drivers also accused the company of charging them a weekly maintenance fee, handling costs and health insurance even though it never gave them access to any HMO service.

They said even when a driver is sick and bedridden, they are still required to make the N9400 daily remittances. According to them, even in such instances, defaulting drivers would be disabled, their cars repossessed, and their total deposits to date forfeited. The drivers say this has forced them to work more hours than normal.

They also accused the company of recycling drivers for its vehicles. Some of the drivers also claimed that the company is always quick to demobilise and repossess vehicles for the flimsiest of reasons, thus terminating the driver’s contract and making him forfeit his vehicle.

Once the vehicle is repossessed, they claim the company will quickly hand it over to another driver, although the vehicles are supposed to be given on a hire-purchase arrangement.

On several occasions, the relationship has boiled down to police arrests and court cases. For instance, the then President of the Moove Africa driver’s group, Fortune Chima, who led the aforementioned protest, was reportedly arrested, detained and dragged to court on allegations that he destroyed company property during the course of the protests.

More recently, two drivers, Moses Ameh and Byang Zakka, were arrested by the police at the behest of the company. The Lagos State Council Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, said the drivers were arrested for opposing Moove’s price increase and were tortured and forced to sign a prepared statement before being transferred to the Ikoyi correctional centre for a month.

However, the company said the drivers were duly prosecuted for a threat to life and property. One of the drivers, Byang Zakkar, admitted that he had made such utterances, even though he never meant them.

And even upon exit, the mistrust appears to be lingering. Moove said it is transferring vehicle ownership worth N35 billion to current drivers. This has been lauded as a compassionate move, with the drivers’ union describing it as “corporate empathy”. However, some drivers still express scepticism borne out of their relationship with the company.

“I don’t trust Moove so I will advise my fellow drivers to have the full money just in case. Nothing comes free from those guys so even if it is to collect a loan just to be sure, let us try to be wise,” one driver said.

“Trusting Moove is at your own risk,” another driver said. “There are hundreds of drivers that have paid over 200,000 naira recently and are yet to get their car. What’s their own fate? Be sure to know what you are doing before borrowing money to sort your way,” he said.

One could only hope the vehicle transfer process is as smooth and seamless as can be.