Workers Day: 5,000 Lagos drivers to shutdown inDrive, Bolt, Uber on May 1

Drivers operating under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) have threatened to shut down all app companies, including Uber, Bolt and inDrive, on International Workers Day (May 1).

The union officials disclosed this to Technext. According to the Public Relations Officer of the union’s Lagos Council, Steven Iwindoye, the target is to get at least 5,000 drivers

“On May 1, 2025, we’re calling for a 24-hour shutdown of all app-based transportation services. This means that we’ll be staying off the apps, refusing to work, and demanding that our rights be respected. We are working on that as we speak, at least if nothing less than 5000 drivers can switch off their app for one day, it’s gonna be a testimony,” he told Technext.

The Lagos council spokesperson said the development aligns with a global call to action for app-based transporters. He said the reason behind the shutdown was the nonchalance of the app companies.

According to him, despite efforts by driver representatives to dialogue, the companies have consistently prioritised their profits over drivers’ well-being. He said that Uber, inDrive and Bolt have ignored pleas for fair compensation, safe working conditions and respect for their rights.

“We have tried dialogue, and it hasn’t worked. These companies only understand one language: the language of economic pressure. By shutting down our services, we’re sending a clear message that we won’t be ignored or disrespected,” Comrade Steven said.

A driver who spoke to Technext expressed support for the shutdown, insisting that the liberties taken by the app companies are beginning to border on high-handedness.

“The job is ridiculing a lot of drivers, and it is sad. Some drivers can’t even fix their cars when they break down. Then, one app company that only cares about its brand, because it wants to get access to riders, will be bringing down the price. If you want to bring down your price, what provisions do you have for your drivers?” he lamented.

May 1: Bolt and inDrive have suffered multiple shutdowns

In February, drivers shut down the Bolt app after the company implemented a major price slash.

According to drivers who spoke to Technext, they noticed reduced fares by about 50% while working on the platform. One driver who uses a CNG car described the fares as “ridiculous”, even for a CNG-powered vehicle.

Consequently, the group reached out to the company to understand the cause of the new low fares. The company informed them that it was in response to a group of drivers who came to their office to demand a reduction.

However, this did not go down well with the drivers who voiced their frustrations. Chairman of the Lagos state chapter of the union, Jaiyesimi Azeez, said there is no way any driver would demand a fare slash.

He described Bolt’s position as one of their ploys to control drivers.

“Information reaching us that a set of drivers went to their (Bolt) office. No set of drivers went to their office. That is what Bolt normally does; they create a group to control a set of drivers. They will give some drivers money and bring them together, and in the end, claim it is the drivers’ decision,” he said.

Although the company would eventually revert to the old rates, the message has already been passed: they were willing to slash rates to generate more demand and market share. The drivers believe that inDrive is the major culprit for this.

Hence, on April 1, drivers boycotted inDrive. According to them, the company only cares about its commission and has modelled its business to reflect that. “Our greatest achievement is for inDrive to cancel that price option. If they don’t do that, we haven’t achieved anything. A trip will appear 8,000 naira inDrive will reduce it to 6,000 naira. It must stop,” a driver told Technext.

“The only Play drive Indrive has is a low price. Nothing more. They are ready to crash fares just to gain market share. Reason why Bolt and Uber are also slashing fares,” another driver said.

Similarly, the Lagos State Chapter of the AUATON noted that the drivers are the backbone of the e-hailing business and must be treated with dignity and respect. In a statement sent to Technext, PRO, Steven Iwindoye said drivers have reached a breaking point and have decided to inform the company.

He claimed that the company’s change to its fare pricing system to allow riders to reduce prices by half was the final straw. He said drivers can no longer operate under a system that exploits and oppresses them, and can no longer continue to provide premium services while being underpaid and overworked.

Despite the boycott, inDrive, in a statement, claimed that it did not suffer any loss. It claimed that it saw an influx of more ready ones instead.

Asked how effective the May 1 shutdown will be, seeing as the last one did not have any impact on inDrive, the AUATON Lagos Council spokesperson simply said that the boycott will be different this time.

“Believe me, this will be different,” he said.

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