Lagos E-Hailing Drivers’ Strike: What It Means for Bolt and inDrive Passengers

Last checked: 14 October 2026. The request was framed around Bolt and Uber, but Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so this article covers Bolt and inDrive riders. The strike began on 12 October 2026 and the situation may change quickly.

Lagos commuters woke on Monday 12 October to a new problem: drivers on two of the city’s main ride-hailing apps said they were withdrawing their services. The strike, called by the Lagos council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), has no end date. For passengers, the practical questions are simple: will I get a ride, how much will it cost and what are my options? This article explains what the drivers want, what it could mean for riders and how to plan around it.

Uber is gone, so this is about Bolt and inDrive

Reports say Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026 after 12 years, leaving Bolt, inDrive and smaller local operators as the main options. The strike is directed at Bolt and inDrive. If you were hoping to switch to Uber, that is not possible. This also means the two remaining large platforms carry more of the city’s demand, which makes any disruption more noticeable.

What the drivers are demanding

• Higher fares. Drivers say the amount passengers pay does not cover fuel, maintenance, tyres, insurance, data and vehicle financing. With petrol around ₦1,350 to ₦1,400 per litre, the union says drivers cannot absorb the increase.
• A commission cap. Reports say AUATON wants a 10 percent ceiling on the commission that platforms take. In an earlier petition to the Lagos State Government, the union proposed a cap of 5 percent or a daily subscription of ₦500 to ₦1,000.
• Transparent deductions. Drivers want a clear breakdown of what the app takes from each trip.
• Welfare and safety. The union has called for stronger safety measures, including identification and facial verification, and a regulated minimum base fare.

Videos shared on social media showed drivers chanting for higher fares. The union has also been talking about building an indigenous ride-hailing alternative, according to reports.

What it could mean for passengers

• Longer waiting times or no cars. If many drivers log off, booking a ride may take longer. How much disruption you see depends on how many drivers join, and some drivers may keep working.
• Higher prices. When supply drops, surge pricing can raise fares on apps that use it. In the longer run, if the platforms agree to raise base fares, riders will pay more per trip. One report put the central question as whether fares can be both affordable for passengers and sustainable for drivers.
• More crowding elsewhere. Riders who switch to buses, BRT and shared transport add to queues, especially in the morning and evening peaks.

What the platforms have said

I did not find a published response from Bolt or inDrive to this week’s strike. In earlier disputes, Bolt has said it must balance better pay for drivers with fares passengers can bear, warning that excessive prices reduce demand. The platforms have not, in what I found, accepted the 10 percent cap.

A history of disputes

This is not new. Lagos drivers staged a three-day strike in March 2026 involving several platforms, and similar actions took place in 2021, 2023 and other years. Earlier strikes sometimes ended with fare changes or incentives, but the same complaints about commissions and costs returned. That pattern suggests a quick settlement is not guaranteed.

How to plan your trips

1. Allow extra time. Book earlier and expect longer waits for important trips such as airport runs or exams.
2. Compare options. Try both apps and check any local ride service you trust, but verify drivers and vehicles before you get in.
3. Check the fare before you accept. Look for surge pricing and confirm the price on the screen.
4. Prioritise safety. Share your trip details with someone, check the number plate and avoid unofficial offers from people claiming to be “app drivers” outside the app.
5. Do not harass working drivers. Some drivers choose to keep working, and strike action should not turn into conflict on the street.
6. Follow official updates. Watch the apps and the union’s announcements for any suspension or settlement.

Why this matters beyond one week

Many Lagos residents depend on ride-hailing for commuting and for safer late-night travel, and many drivers depend on it for income. The strike shows how rising fuel prices flow through to people who never visit a filling station. Our article on petrol prices explains the pressure behind it.

What we could not confirm

• How many drivers are taking part, and whether the strike is still on when you read this.
• Whether Bolt or inDrive has responded or changed fares or commissions.
• Which Lagos government actions, if any, are planned. I found no announcement.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still book a Bolt or inDrive ride? You may be able to, but expect delays and possible surge prices. The effect depends on how many drivers participate.

Will fares go up permanently? That depends on negotiations. Higher base fares or a changed commission are possible outcomes, but none had been announced when I checked.

Key takeaways

Lagos drivers on Bolt and inDrive began an indefinite strike on 12 October 2026 over fares, a proposed 10 percent commission cap and welfare, weeks after Uber left Nigeria. Expect longer waits and possible price rises, plan important trips early and follow official updates.

Sources checked

• Pulse Nigeria, “Bolt and inDrive drivers in Lagos begin indefinite strike, weeks after Uber left Nigeria” (12 October 2026)
• THEWILL, “Lagos Drivers Call Bolt, inDrive Strike as Vehicle Bills Add Pressure” (12 October 2026)
• Sahara Reporters, “Nigerian E-Hailing Drivers Protest Rising Fuel Prices, Demand Increment From Bolt, inDrive”
• Innovation Village, “Higher Fares or Goodbye” (13 October 2026) and “Lagos Drivers Threaten Bolt and inDrive Shutdown in October” (22 September 2026)
• Legit.ng, “After Uber’s Exit, Bolt, inDrive Drivers Plan October Shutdown in Lagos, Demand 10% Commission Cap”
• Crisp NG, “Bolt, inDrive Drivers Begin Indefinite Strike: 5 Things Passengers Should Know”
• Techpoint Africa, report on Bolt’s response to the 2023 drivers’ strike