Uber has called for continued dialogue with its driver-partners as a sweeping strike by app-based transport operators disrupts ride-hailing services across Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The industrial action, involving drivers on Uber, Bolt and inDrive, has seen many operators log off their apps in protest at what they describe as unsustainable working conditions. Drivers cite soaring fuel prices, escalating vehicle maintenance costs and broader inflation as reasons they can no longer operate profitably under current fare structures and commission rates.

Union representatives are demanding a comprehensive review of fares, a reduction in the commission charged by platforms and stronger protections for drivers, including clearer dispute-resolution mechanisms and safeguards against arbitrary account deactivations. With many drivers staying off the road, commuters in Lagos have reported longer wait times and higher surge pricing on the limited rides available.

In a statement sent to Punch Online, Uber stressed that drivers remain central to its business model and that the company is open to constructive engagement. The firm said it regularly holds roundtable discussions with drivers and intends to keep using that forum to address grievances and negotiate changes.

Uber also underscored the need to balance the interests of both drivers and riders, arguing that its marketplace only functions effectively when it “works for all users.” The company framed this alignment of interests as a core principle guiding how it sets prices and commissions in each city.

The dispute is the latest in a series of confrontations between ride-hailing platforms and drivers in Lagos. Previous strikes have been triggered by similar complaints over low earnings and high operating costs, but the current wave of inflation and currency pressure has intensified tensions, leaving many drivers feeling squeezed between platform policies and Nigeria’s harsh economic realities.

Uber, which entered the Nigerian market in 2014 and has since expanded beyond Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, pointed to its 2023 Economic Impact Report for Nigeria as evidence that the platform creates meaningful earning opportunities. According to the company, drivers using its app collectively generate an estimated N6.1bn in additional income each year.

The company said it continues to monitor local market conditions in Lagos and other cities, suggesting that any future adjustments to fares or commissions will be informed by ongoing discussions with drivers and evolving economic pressures.