This comes after reports emerged that some drivers in the city are planning to increase fares by 50% in protest against what they describe as unfair pricing on the Bolt app.

In a statement released this week, the company said it was aware of “reports suggesting that some drivers in Port Harcourt plan to increase fares by 50% due to concerns about pricing on the Bolt app,” but firmly stated that such actions are unauthorised and “go against Bolt’s operating policies.”

The ride-hailing firm explained that its platform already allows drivers to propose their own fares through a feature called Price Bidding, which, according to Bolt, “ensures fair and transparent pricing for both drivers and riders without the need for any external fare adjustment or surcharge.”

Bolt also emphasised that “any driver found to be charging riders outside the app or demanding extra payments beyond the agreed in-app fare will face immediate and permanent removal from the Bolt platform.” 

The company reiterated its focus on providing “affordable, transparent, and safe mobility for all Nigerians,” urging drivers to continue using the app according to its guidelines.

The warning follows increasing dissatisfaction among Bolt drivers in Port Harcourt, many of whom are members of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). 

They have complained that expensive fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and the price of spare parts have made it highly difficult to operate profitably.

In their defence, the drivers argue that the company’s current fare model does not align with Nigeria’s economic reality. 

A driver who spoke through AUATON’s Rivers State Chairman, Amos Omoruyi, recently told the media that parts like brake pads that once cost ₦1,500 now sell for as high as ₦8,000. “We are not fraudulent,” Omoruyi said in an interview. “What we are asking for is a fair adjustment to reflect the current cost of living.”

Some drivers also allege that while their costs have gone up, Bolt’s commission rate has stayed high, further cutting into their earnings. They insist that without fare adjustments, drivers will continue to struggle to sustain their operations.

However, Bolt’s latest statement focuses on policy enforcement and reiterates the company’s stance against unauthorised fare changes. 

The company maintains that the Price Bidding feature offers drivers flexibility to propose fares based on what riders are willing to pay, a system it believes balances both sides.

With inflation and fuel prices affecting Nigeria’s e-hailing sector, operating expenses have moved to record levels and drivers are demanding better compensation. Platforms like Bolt continue to prioritise fare stability for riders.

For now, Bolt insists it will not tolerate any action that negatively affects the platform’s pricing system. “We encourage all drivers and riders to continue using the Bolt app in accordance with our guidelines to maintain trust and fairness across the platform,” the company said.

The ride-hailing company insists its platform is growing, not declining, and that its pricing model is fair to drivers.

Earlier, AUATON noted that drivers are abandoning inDrive due to poor security and low fares, but inDrive disagrees. The company asserts that it has not seen a decline in driver participation, instead, the number is increasing.

“Our data does not reflect a decline in driver participation—on the contrary, we continue to see an increase in the number of drivers joining our platform. Recent claims suggesting otherwise do not align with our observations,” the company said.

The ride-hailing platform also dismisses the notion that its drivers are being coerced into accepting inadequate fares. It maintains that its bidding system—where drivers and riders negotiate a price—gives drivers full control over their earnings. 

“At inDrive, we operate a transparent model that prioritises driver autonomy and fair pricing.”

Unlike fixed-fare ride-hailing models, inDrive argues that its approach ensures fairness by letting drivers decide what they are willing to accept.

“Drivers retain complete control over their earnings and are never forced to accept fares that do not align with their expectations,” the statement read.

inDrive also points out that it charges the lowest service fee in Nigeria—9.99%—ensuring that drivers take home more earnings compared to competitors.

AUATON’s most damning claim is that inDrive has failed to protect drivers from violent attacks. The union alleges that the platform’s weak rider verification process has resulted in robberies, assaults, and even fatalities. 

However, inDrive’s response conspicuously sidesteps this issue. Nowhere in its statement does the company directly address the safety concerns raised by drivers.

While inDrive acknowledges the right of unions to protest, it did not engage with the core security complaints. There is no mention of whether the company plans to improve passenger verification, enhance driver protection, or address the risks that AUATON says have cost lives.

An important part of inDrive’s counterargument rests on the stated fact that its drivers are independent professionals, not union members. The company says that AUATON’s calls for a boycott do not show the reality of inDrive’s user base.

“We keep maintaining the freedom for drivers to earn on their terms with the chance to accept, negotiate higher, or skip a ride,” the statement reads.

The implication is that the so-called boycott may not be as effective as AUATON hopes. If most inDrive drivers do not belong to the union, they may choose to continue working despite the protests.

Timothy Oladimeji, inDrive’s country representative, stands by the company’s model, insisting it prioritises fairness for both drivers and riders.

“inDrive remains committed to providing a fair and flexible ride-hailing service where drivers and passengers have control over pricing. We stand by our transparent approach, ensuring that drivers always have the freedom to choose the fares that work best for them,” he said.

The company also states it is open to discussions with stakeholders, regulators, and the media to “discuss the evolving ride-hailing landscape in Nigeria.”

AUATON’s members argue that they are already struggling with unsustainable fares. If drivers continue to feel exploited or unsafe, inDrive’s insistence on “business as usual” may not hold for long.

For now, AUATON won’t back down until real change happens. inDrive, on the other hand, is sticking to its model, convinced that drivers will keep signing up.

Who blinks first?

The union’s spokesperson, Steven Iwindoye, minced no words in his statement on Wednesday. He accused inDrive of failing to protect its drivers, exposing them to criminals who exploit the app’s weak verification process.

“InDrive’s failure to implement a robust security system has cost many drivers their lives. Criminals can easily access the platform by posing as passengers and attacking unsuspecting drivers,” he said.

AUATON claims that a number of drivers have been robbed, attacked, and even killed due to inDrive’s lax security measures. According to the union, without adequate background checks for riders, drivers are left vulnerable, picking up strangers without any real assurance of safety.

Beyond security issues, drivers are also fuming over inDrive’s fare system, which allows passengers to dictate ride prices. Iwindoye argued that this model forces drivers to accept unreasonably low fares, leaving them struggling to cover basic expenses.

“Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and other expenses have skyrocketed, yet inDrive allows passengers to dictate fares that barely cover our costs. We are being exploited, and we refuse to continue under such a system,” he said.

Some riders reportedly slash fares by as much as 50%, making it nearly impossible for drivers to earn a decent income. AUATON is demanding immediate changes, including a structured fare system that accounts for fuel prices and vehicle upkeep, as well as better support for drivers facing financial hardship.

The union has instructed all its members to stop using inDrive, aiming to bring operations in Lagos to a standstill until their demands are met.

“We call on the government and relevant regulatory agencies to intervene and ensure that inDrive operates transparently and safely,” Iwindoye added.

The move is expected to disrupt transportation for thousands of Lagos commuters who rely on the app for daily movement.

inDrive Responds

The company’s Africa spokesperson, Lineo Thakhisi, defended the platform’s policies, arguing that its model is built on fairness and flexibility.

“Unlike traditional ride-hailing models, inDrive allows drivers to set their own fares and negotiate directly with passengers. This ensures that drivers have greater control over their earnings,” she said.

She also noted that inDrive offers the lowest commission rates in Nigeria, allowing drivers to keep more of their earnings compared to other ride-hailing services.

On security, Thakhisi assured that the company has implemented trip verification, emergency assistance options, and a rating system to improve safety.

“We continuously assess and enhance these security measures to ensure a safer experience for all users,” she said. “We are open to constructive dialogue with drivers and unions.”

With both sides holding firm, the situation is tense. AUATON insists the boycott will continue until inDrive makes considerable changes, while inDrive maintains that its system is fair and secure.

Instead, the company explained that the recent fare adjustments were aimed at creating a more balanced and sustainable marketplace that would benefit both drivers and riders in the long run.

In a statement, Bolt emphasised that the adjustments were made to optimise driver earnings by increasing rider demand, reducing driver downtime, and ensuring overall satisfaction.

“We understand the drivers’ concerns. However, Bolt did not do a 50% price slash, what we did was fare adjustments in Lagos which are designed to optimise driver earnings in the long run. By ensuring a healthy and balanced marketplace, we aim to:

• Increase rider demand: More affordable fares can lead to increased ride requests, which means more earning opportunities for drivers.
• Reduce driver downtime: A balanced marketplace means less time waiting for rides and more time earning.
• Improve driver satisfaction: By creating a sustainable marketplace, we can ensure that driving with Bolt remains a viable and rewarding opportunity.

“We are committed to ensuring that our driver-partners benefit from the Bolt platform,” the company stated.

The response comes after the Lagos chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) rejected the fare changes, claiming that they greatly reduced drivers’ earnings. 

The union has accused Bolt and other ride-hailing companies of implementing price cuts without considering the financial stress on drivers, many of whom are already struggling with the high cost of living.

AUATON’s Lagos Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, had warned that drivers were reaching a breaking point and hinted at a possible protest if the decision was not reversed. 

The union is now mobilising its members to demand better conditions and has called on all drivers to register their dissatisfaction with the company.

While the union insists that only collective action can compel ride-hailing firms to review their pricing strategies, Bolt maintains that its fare adjustments are designed to create a healthier ride-hailing ecosystem that benefits drivers in the long term.

Among the many contributors to its thriving economy, ride-hailing apps have emerged as a transformative force, seamlessly connecting millions of residents to efficient transportation solutions.

With an astounding [projected] revenue generation of over ₦7.6 billion annually, this digital ecosystem underscores Lagos State Government’s strategic embrace of technology as a revenue powerhouse.

Beyond the numbers, this achievement reflects the resilience and resourcefulness of Africa’s largest city, where technology meets opportunity and progress fuels prosperity.

But, this seemed threatened by an emerging challenge in the ecosystem – targeted killing of drivers associated with ride-hailing apps.

Members of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) are not happy over the ugly incidences hence they are calling for a more regulatory frameworks that will offer protection to their members.

Just recently, the Lagos State command said it busted different gangs of armed robbers, who targeted and killed drivers of ride-hailing apps; Bolt, Uber, Lagride and others in the state.

The police also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the arrested suspects during the period under review.

Members of these gangs were reportedly responsible for the killings of private commercial vehicle operators in different parts of Lagos.

This is just as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police ,Olanrewaju Ishola revealed that the command prosecuted offenders for 2176 offences in the last quarter of 2024 and early 2025

Speaking at Nigeria Info 99.3 Moring CrossFire Programme hosted monitored by Techeconomy on Monday, January 20, 2024, Kolawole Aina, the South-West zonal chairman of AUATON, described the incidences disturbing.

He said the State which generates revenues from the activities of AUATON members should do more to offer protections to them.

Aina said:

“It is unfortunate that this incident keeps happening over and over again. We’ve been advocating for national regulatory framework that will address the issues that lead to this kinds of occurrences. It is really not making any sense that despite all our agitations and concerns always fell on deaf ears of the people in power.

“Yes, Lagos State, they are trying their best but I think the agreement we had at the level of the States in 2020 needs to be reviewed to address all these concerns that are coming up recently.

“You see these two guys [drivers] that died; the truth is they died on the job. When you pick up riders from places like Chevron to Obalende, you would feel safe. That axis appears safe to a driver unlike moving to somewhere like Lakowe. I doubt if any driver wouldn’t have fallen into that trap.

“Also, the app companies should have a proper profiling of everybody that will onboard on this platform – both rider and driver.

“Drivers are being properly profiled, what is stopping them from profiling the riders as well? We don’t want to continue to lose our members who are members of the society with families too.

“In 2020 we had conversation with the [sic: Lagos] State Government which gave birth to the government collecting ₦30 Road Development Fee on each ride. Back then it was ₦20 naira, but recently we have information that the money has been increased to ₦30 naira on each ride.

When asked about the number of rides the members record per day in Lagos State, he said, “We have more than 70,000 drivers in Lagos State. And each rider does a minimum of 10 rides per day. So I guess you can do the mathematics.

When computed 70,000 drivers multiplied by 10 rides per day equals 700,000 rides. When multiplied further by ₦30, it implies Lagos State Government generates about ₦21million daily from the app-hailing drivers.

He went further to say that majority of the members operate Monday to Sunday trips.

“Yes, every day. People work round the clock in Lagos. So that’s 21 million naira in a day for Lagos State government at least”.

Multiplying ₦21 million by 365 days shows that Lagos State generates about ₦7,665,000,000 [seven billion, six hundred and sixty-five thousand naira] on Road Development Fee, charged on ride-hailing apps, annually.

When asked further: You feel that in the agreement you have should be better protected?

He answered, “Yeah, the drivers, we are not even protected in any way. In that agreement, we are not protected in any way.

“The other area that would have given place to our protection has never been implemented by all these companies.

“At some point, we called for meetings or held event where we invite these companies, apart from Bolt, others do not show up.

Comrade Olawale Jossy, national ex-officio member, of AUATON also shared his thoughts on the sad news:

“… I think it is alarming the rate at which members of the amalgamated community have been murdered across Nigeria.

“This is not just a one-off thing, like you are rightly asking me. It is has been happening on a regular occasions.

“The one that happened recently in Lagos – some of these things, to a reasonable extent, would have been prevented if all hands were on the deck; both by the government officials and by our company [ride-hailing app companies] who are serving the responsibility of profiling the riders.

“Like I said, this also happened in Delta State. The news is everywhere. If you go to the Punch right now, you will read about two of our members that were killed in Delta State and an attempted killing of another driver in Benin.

“Without no disrespect to the Nigerian police, we want to commend them, even for bringing all these people who are perpetrating this evil to the public domain.

“But I think the real issue; we have to tackle it from the bottom. It is not always supposed to be a reactive measure. We have to be proactive in tackling the issue of [in]security.

However, some callers to the programme advised drivers on the ride-hailing apps to adopt measures towards protecting themselves, first by being security conscious and avoiding areas prone to be dark spots.

Kolawole Aina, AUATON’s South-West vice president, stressed the need for a unified regulatory system that benefits all stakeholders in the industry.

Speaking during an interview in Lagos, Aina noted the challenges faced by drivers using platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and Indrive, explaining that state-level regulations in many parts of Nigeria have been unfavourable to drivers. 

Out of the 26 states where e-hailing drivers operate, only 15 to 17 have regulatory frameworks, Aina said. This often prioritises state revenue and app companies’ interests over drivers’ welfare.

Aina further spoke on the importance of creating a regulatory structure that involves all stakeholders, including government agencies, app companies, drivers, and passengers. He criticised the current system, which places financial and operational burdens disproportionately on drivers and riders.

“Drivers are left to bear the burden of multiple taxes and operational challenges while the states and app companies benefit,” he said. Aina added that a federal framework would harmonise policies and promote fairness across the industry.

The AUATON Vice President further explained that a national regulatory framework could enhance security by introducing passenger profiling, similar to the profiling already done for drivers. This, he said, would help curb the kidnapping of e-hailing drivers and ensure safer operations. “Just as drivers are profiled, passengers should also undergo similar checks. This would significantly reduce the risks faced by drivers,” he suggested.

On taxation, Aina decried the heavy levies enforced on drivers by multiple authorities, calling for a streamlined system to ease their financial burden. “We are taxpayers and contribute to the economy, yet our voices are often ignored. A collaborative relationship between the government, app companies, and drivers is essential for seamless operations,” he said.

Aina revealed that AUATON has been advocating for this national framework for years and hosted a conference in 2024 to push for its implementation. Plans are ongoing for another conference in 2025, aimed at bringing together stakeholders to deliberate on solutions.

The union leader also appealed for improved collaboration between app companies, governments, and drivers to ensure seamless business operations. “We need a system where all parties work together for mutual benefit. Drivers, as taxpayers, deserve to have their voices heard,” Aina said.

AUATON, established in 2023, represents e-hailing drivers, food and courier delivery riders, and other app-based transport workers. The union was officially recognised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment after years of advocacy to address the concerns of app-based workers.

The union continues to push for policies that prioritise fairness, security, and economic benefits for all stakeholders in Nigeria’s e-hailing industry.