Five Nigerian Drivers Share How Uber’s Exit Is Affecting Their Livelihoods

Uber ended its Nigerian operations on September 2, 2026, leaving drivers who depended on the platform to reassess their income plans. For some, Uber was a weekend side hustle that supported savings and family expenses. For others, it was once their main source of livelihood. One driver says the closure has wiped out the extra money he saved from weekend trips. Another, who left an engineering job after Uber initially paid far better, says he had already shifted to Bolt, inDrive and poultry farming as Uber earnings declined. Drivers also described how rising fuel costs, commissions and stagnant fares had weakened their earnings over the years. While some completed thousands of trips and feel emotionally attached to the platform, others say they are worried that losing Uber will make ride-hailing work even harder. Several drivers now plan to rely more on Bolt and inDrive, though they fear higher charges and uncertainty in the remaining ride-hailing market. One driver, who had an outstanding commission debt, says he is waiting to see how Uber handles final payments and balances.

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