Grace Ashiru
Ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria have returned to work after a week-long strike, but some of their demands have still not been met.
The drivers went on strike last week to protest low fares and high commissions charged by ride-hailing companies, such as Bolt and Uber. They also demanded that the companies stop arbitrarily deactivating drivers’ accounts.
The strike caused disruptions for commuters in major cities across Nigeria. However, the drivers decided to end the strike on Friday after the ride-hailing companies agreed to some of their demands.
The companies agreed to reinstate some drivers whose accounts had been deactivated and to review the criteria for deactivating accounts. They also agreed to increase fares by 30-40%.
However, the drivers’ main demand for a 200% increase in fares was not met. The drivers say that the current fares are not enough to cover their costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and taxes.
The drivers have threatened to go on strike again if their demands are not met within seven days.
The Future of Ride-hailing in Nigeria
The strike by ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria has highlighted the challenges facing the industry. The drivers are struggling to make a living, and they are frustrated by the high commissions charged by the ride-hailing companies.
The companies are also facing challenges. They are losing money, and they are under pressure from investors to improve their profitability.
It is unclear what the future holds for ride-hailing in Nigeria. The industry is likely to continue to be volatile, and there is a risk of further strikes by drivers.
However, there is also potential for the industry to grow. The Nigerian market is large and underserved, and there is a growing demand for ride-hailing services.
If the ride-hailing companies can address the concerns of the drivers and improve their profitability, the industry has the potential to thrive in Nigeria.
