App-based transport drivers in Lagos, under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), have announced plans to embark on a 24-hour strike on May 1, 2025—International Workers’ Day.
Drivers on platforms like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive will withdraw their services to protest poor wages, arbitrary deactivations, safety issues, and exploitative policies such as high commission rates and intrusive facial recognition systems. The union says the strike is a response to the persistent neglect of drivers’ welfare by ride-hailing companies.
The union’s spokesperson, Steven Iwindoye, said previous efforts at dialogue had failed, leaving drivers no choice but to apply economic pressure. He stressed that this protest would be larger and more coordinated than earlier ones, aiming to mobilize at least 5,000 drivers to participate. The strike is designed to make a bold statement about the unsustainable and unfair treatment drivers endure under app-based transport companies that prioritize profits over people.
Recent fare slashes by ride-hailing companies have intensified drivers’ grievances. Bolt’s controversial 50% fare cut earlier this year, which was later reversed after backlash, is seen by many drivers as an attempt to grow market share at their expense. inDrive has also come under fire for pricing models that drivers say are unworkable and exploitative. Many drivers feel these tactics force them to work under extreme pressure while barely making ends meet.
For the drivers, the May Day strike is more than a protest—it is a demand for dignity, fair compensation, and improved working conditions. Many have expressed frustration over their inability to maintain their vehicles or afford basic necessities due to low earnings. The union hopes this action will send a strong message to app-based transport companies both locally and globally, urging them to recognize drivers’ rights and make meaningful changes.