inDrive: We Will Keep Investing in Nigeria as Uber Exits After 12 Years

Ride-hailing company inDrive says it remains committed to Nigeria after Uber ended its 12-year operations in the country on September 2. Country director Timothy Oladimeji made the statement on September 3, 2026, noting that Nigeria is a strategic market with a growing user base.

Uber also pulled out of Uganda at the same time. The company cited a review of its investment priorities across Africa. inDrive now operates in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Ibadan, Owerri, and Enugu.

Competition and expansion

Oladimeji said Uber's departure was not anticipated, but competition had pushed ride-hailing companies to raise their standards. He said: "We have always welcomed competition because it drives us to continuously improve our products and services for the benefit of our users."

Unlike platforms that use algorithms to set prices, inDrive allows passengers and drivers to negotiate fares before trips. The company says it charges a lower service fee than rivals and has expanded into courier and other mobility services. It has also opened its platform to drivers and fleet owners affected by Uber's exit, and is building tools for mobility investors to earn from vehicles on the platform.

"Our goal is to provide drivers with flexible earning opportunities while ensuring passengers continue to have access to affordable, reliable, and increasingly diverse mobility services," Oladimeji said.

Union demands action, not just words

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State chapter, welcomed the expansion talk but questioned what it would deliver. Public relations officer Steven Iwindoye said the company's commitment should be judged by what drivers earn, not by announcements. Drivers bear fuel, vehicle repairs, insurance, data subscriptions, loan repayments and depreciation, he argued.

"The question is not simply whether inDrive will remain in Nigeria, but what that commitment means for the workers who keep the platform running," Iwindoye said. He warned that lower negotiated fares could squeeze driver incomes, since many costs remain unchanged regardless of trip price. AUATON is calling for sustainable fare structures, transparent commission terms, stronger worker representation, and better safety provisions.

What now for Nigerian riders?

Uber's departure leaves Bolt, inDrive, and Lagos state-backed LagRide as the main options for commuters. Iwindoye summed up the union's position: "Without the driver, there is no trip, no passenger service and no Nigerian ride-hailing market."

The exit also comes amid airport access problems. FAAN suspended e-hailing platforms, including Uber and Bolt, from Murtala Muhammed International Airport precinct. A passenger named Chude on X said he paid N30,000 for a taxi from the airport to the Radisson Hotel in Ikeja, a trip he said costs N6,000 on inDrive. Another traveller, Tosin, called on FAAN and the FCCPC to intervene.

For Nigerian commuters, fewer players could mean higher fares if competition weakens. inDrive's continued presence offers some balance, but the union warns that drivers' welfare and fair pricing will determine whether the market remains sustainable.