On Monday, 12 October, e‑hailing drivers in Lagos started an open‑ended strike organised by the [Amalgamated Union of App‑based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON)](https://www.auaton.org), leading to a sharp drop in ride availability and longer wait times on the [Bolt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolt_(company)) and [inDrive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InDrive) platforms.
**What are passengers experiencing?**
Several commuters have complained of rides being unavailable for hours. One inDrive user, Chidozie, wrote, “inDrive, please pay attention to your drivers. They are currently on strike. Currently, there is no available ride. I have placed a ride on the app for two hours now and still no driver. What is happening? Pay attention to your drivers.” Other riders reported waiting periods of 16 to 20 minutes and a noticeable surge in fares caused by the scarcity of drivers.
**What is the union demanding?**
The Lagos Council chairman of the union, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, urged drivers to remain off the apps, stating, “Today is Day 1 of our industrial action and shutdown. I am using this opportunity to beg every e‑hailing driver in Lagos: If you cannot join us, please stay home and park your vehicle. We do not want a situation whereby you will be wasting your fuel because, whether you like it or not, you will be ordered, and once you come, we will be educating and telling drivers about the need and why they have to join this struggle.”
He added that the protest aims to wrest control of pricing from the platforms, noting that drivers provide about 95 % of the service and should therefore have a say in fare setting. “The app companies will no longer determine the price of our service. They are middlemen, and middlemen cannot tell us how to sell our services. We bring the vehicle, we buy the fuel, we face everything, we take the risks. Drivers are dying and wailing. So comrades, come out, support and participate so that at the end of the day you will be glad that you did. We are winning this war this time around,” he said.
**What are the specific demands?**
AUATON has outlined three core requests: a comprehensive fare review to reflect current economic realities; a reduction of platform commissions to no more than 10 %; and a guarantee that any future changes to fares, commissions, subscriptions or other charges will be preceded by genuine consultation with driver representatives.
**How have the platforms responded?**
Ahead of the protest, Bolt announced its willingness to engage in dialogue with AUATON. The company said it recognises the concerns raised about driver earnings, operating costs, platform charges, transparency and welfare, and that it is committed to creating a sustainable ecosystem for drivers, passengers and the platform alike.
Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt’s Head of Regulatory and Policy in Africa, affirmed, “We take the concerns being raised seriously and believe the best way forward is through constructive, open and solution‑oriented engagement. Our focus is on listening, understanding the issues and identifying practical ways to strengthen the driver experience while ensuring that ride‑hailing remains safe, reliable and accessible for everyone.”