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Lagos Assembly Summons Uber, Bolt Over Ride-Hailing Crisis

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned major ride-hailing operators, including Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide, to appear at a public hearing addressing mounting concerns within the transportation sector.

Mr. Azeez Jaiyesimi, chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), disclosed this development in a statement issued by the union's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Steven Iwindoye, on Monday in Lagos.

According to Jaiyesimi, the hearing scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, was convened following a formal petition submitted by the union to the Assembly.

"The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide to appear for a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, June 17. The hearing aims to address the growing unrest in the ride-hailing sector and create a framework for safer, fairer, and more accountable operations in the Nigerian gig economy," Jaiyesimi stated.

Key Issues Raised in the Petition

The petition filed by AUATON raised several critical issues affecting drivers and passengers in the ride-hailing ecosystem. These include insecurity, labor rights violations, and alleged regulatory non-compliance by the companies operating in Lagos State.

Titled "Public Petition Against Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide for Non-Compliance with the National Collective Agreement and Corporate Negligence, Resulting in the Victimisation of App-Based Transport Workers in Nigeria," the document accuses the platforms of systemic neglect and exploitative practices that endanger both drivers' safety and livelihoods.

The grievances outlined in the petition include:

Concerns over driver profiling and passenger safety
Unilateral pricing models that affect driver earnings
Insufficient welfare provisions for drivers
Inconsistencies in commission structures
Suppression of union rights

This development comes amid growing tensions between ride-hailing platforms and their driver-partners across Nigeria, with similar concerns being raised in other states regarding commission rates and driver welfare.

The outcome of this hearing could potentially reshape regulations governing the ride-hailing industry in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, and set precedents for other states facing similar challenges in the rapidly evolving gig economy.

Stay connected with BenriNews for updates on this developing story and more news from across Nigeria.