Uber Exits Nigeria After 12 Years of Operations

By Peter Emmanuel |

Uber has announced plans to end its operations in Nigeria after 12 years, bringing its ride-hailing services in the country to an end from September 2, 2026.

The global ride-hailing company, which launched in Lagos in 2014, said the decision followed a thorough review of its business operations.

Uber currently operates in several Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu and Uyo.

In a statement, the company described the decision as difficult and said it would wind down its Nigerian operations effective September 2, 2026.

The company thanked Nigerian customers for using its platform over the years and apologised for the disruption its withdrawal may cause.

Uber said its help centre would remain available until September 23 to assist customers with final account-related enquiries.

Uber to End Nigerian Operations After 12 Years

Uber said it had been privileged to serve Nigerians since launching its service in Lagos in 2014.

The company said its platform had connected customers with independent transportation providers for daily commutes, visits to loved ones and movement across cities.

It thanked customers for trusting the platform to connect them with drivers and provide transportation services.

The company acknowledged that the decision to withdraw from Nigeria could disrupt the routines of customers who relied on its services.

Uber apologised for the inconvenience and said customers could continue to access its help centre until September 23 for assistance with account-related issues.

The withdrawal marks the end of Uber’s 12-year presence in Nigeria, where its ride-hailing service expanded beyond Lagos to several other major cities.

Drivers Faced Years of Disputes Over Fares, Commissions

Uber’s exit comes after years of challenges involving its driver network in Nigeria.

Drivers have staged protests and strikes over issues including fares, commission rates and what they described as poor treatment by the company.

The disputes have at various times highlighted concerns among drivers over the earnings and conditions associated with operating on the platform.

Despite the challenges, Uber continued to operate across several Nigerian cities before announcing its decision to withdraw from the country.

The company has also exited or reduced its presence in some other markets across Asia and Africa as part of changes to its global operations.

Its decision to leave Nigeria therefore comes against the backdrop of broader adjustments to its international business strategy.

Uber Announces 3,300 Global Job Cuts Amid Restructuring

Separately, Uber has announced plans to eliminate approximately 3,300 jobs globally as part of a major restructuring of its operations.

The job cuts represent about 10 per cent of the company’s workforce and are aimed at simplifying its corporate structure and reducing management layers.

Uber said the restructuring would allow it to redirect resources towards its core businesses, including ride-hailing, delivery and autonomous vehicles.

Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said the company’s rapid expansion over the past five years had created unnecessary complexity within the organisation.

According to Uber, the expansion resulted in additional management layers, fragmented responsibilities and slower decision-making.

The restructuring will reduce by 20 per cent the number of employees positioned seven or more management layers below the chief executive, while some delivery, engineering and science teams will also be merged.

Following the changes, Uber expects its global workforce to fall to just under 30,000 employees. The job cuts represent the company’s largest workforce reduction since it eliminated about 6,700 positions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.