Union Petitions National Assembly, Accuses Uber, Bolt, InDrive of Exploiting Drivers and Ignoring Safety Concerns
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has submitted a petition to the National Assembly, accusing global ride-hailing companies Uber, Bolt, and InDrive of systemic corporate violence, driver misclassification, and neglect of worker rights and safety.
Dated May 1, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, the union’s petition highlights what it describes as “precarious working conditions” endured by thousands of Nigerian app-based drivers.
AUATON is urging lawmakers to intervene, citing increasing cases of violent attacks, exploitative policies, and denial of labour rights. National President Damola Adeniran alleged that the companies have failed to implement proper safety measures and are exploiting loopholes in Nigeria’s labour laws.
“Several families have been left mourning due to incidents on these platforms,” Adeniran stated. He noted that drivers have fallen victim to manslaughter, carjackings, and other violent crimes, all linked to their misclassification as “self-employed” workers. This classification, the union argues, allows the companies to evade responsibilities such as health insurance, fair wages, social protection, and collective bargaining rights.
The petition references Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 91 of the Labour Act, and various International Labour Organization conventions to back its demands.
Among the documented cases is that of Kevin Ogah Ede, a driver reportedly murdered in October 2023 during a ride. Despite the car having a tracker, the perpetrators were never prosecuted, and his family allegedly received no communication or support from Bolt. Another driver, Pastor Luka, was shot in the neck during a failed carjacking in May 2024. Though he survived after two months in the hospital, AUATON claims two of his assailants were released without trial.
The union blames these incidents on poor passenger vetting and weak emergency response measures by the platforms.
As part of its demands, AUATON is calling for a National Restorative Conference in July 2025. The conference would include lawmakers, regulators, platform operators, and worker representatives, aimed at reevaluating driver employment status and extending formal protections. The union insists platform participation in the conference should not be seen as an admission of guilt, but a step toward reform.
AUATON also criticised the National Collective Agreement signed in May 2024, saying it failed to improve driver welfare or ensure accountability from ride-hailing platforms.
The union urged lawmakers to pass stronger laws targeting algorithmic management, misclassification, and driver safety. “This petition challenges the actions of platforms in Nigeria as a violation of the constitutional and fundamental human rights of app-based transport workers,” Adeniran said. “We hope lawmakers act swiftly.”
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