Lagos E-Hailing Operators Suspend Four-Day Boycott, Call for inDrive App Deletions
Ride-hailing motorists in Lagos have concluded their four-day walkout, according to an announcement by the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). The union’s state chapter declared the protest a triumph and advised operators to get back on the road right away.
In an official dispatch, State Chairman Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez explained that a comprehensive review led to the decision to end the shutdown immediately, though he instructed members to remain alert for subsequent union directives. Azeez praised the drivers for their solidarity, noting that their shared determination, courage, and sacrifice demonstrated the collective power of organized gig workers.
While normal operations have resumed, the association directed sharp criticism toward inDrive, accusing the international platform of total indifference during the labor dispute. AUATON leaders argued that the company’s refusal to initiate dialogue demonstrated a lack of respect for the workforce that sustains its operations.
Highlighting this breakdown in communication, the union urged all members to delete the inDrive platform from their devices. In its place, AUATON encouraged operators to adopt homegrown services endorsed by the union, such as SimpliRide, MyKab, and Randbax, arguing that championing local platforms will provide reliable options and cultivate a fairer environment for drivers.
This friction contrasts sharply with the approach taken by competitor Bolt. Prior to the action that began on October 12, Bolt proactively sought talks to avoid service disruption, acknowledging driver anxieties over surging operating expenses, commission fees, transparency, and overall welfare.
Weyinmi Aghadiuno, who oversees regulatory and public policy for Bolt in Africa, committed the company to holding roundtable discussions with union delegates to explore cooperative solutions and ensure an economically viable ecosystem.
Defending its model, inDrive maintained through its Country Director, Timothy Oladimeji, that it continues to champion driver welfare by charging the lowest service commissions in the market. Oladimeji stressed that these modest platform fees are specifically designed to ease current economic burdens and allow drivers to keep a greater share of their fares.
