Uber Exit Sparks Labour Dispute Over Drivers’ Pay and Outstanding Benefits

By GLEBM News Desk

The withdrawal of ride-hailing company Uber from Nigeria has triggered a labour dispute over payments, benefits and other outstanding obligations involving drivers who depended on the platform for their livelihoods.

The drivers’ union representing app-based transport workers has issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding discussions over outstanding financial claims and other issues arising from the company’s exit.

The dispute has placed renewed attention on the employment rights of workers operating within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital and platform economy.

Among the issues raised are outstanding driver earnings, bonuses, other financial claims, vehicle-financing obligations and continued access to records relating to drivers’ activities and earnings.

The union argues that drivers should not be left to absorb the financial consequences of a major technology platform withdrawing from the Nigerian market.

The situation also exposes a regulatory challenge facing the gig economy: many app-based drivers operate outside conventional employer-employee arrangements, making questions surrounding benefits, compensation and termination more complex.

As digital platforms become an increasingly important source of income for Nigerians, the dispute could contribute to wider discussions about how workers in the platform economy should be protected.

The Uber dispute goes beyond one company’s exit. It highlights the need for clearer rules governing platform workers, particularly around income protection, contractual obligations, access to employment records and dispute resolution when digital platforms discontinue operations.