Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State chapter, has called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Lagos State Government, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the general public to hold Uber/Moove accountable for their exploitative practices.
 
The union also called on the management of Uber/Moove Drive-to-Own (DTO) scheme to reverse the daily remittance of charge to N9,400 and end arbitrary increases for drivers under the scheme.
Public Relations Officer, AUATON, Lagos State chapter, Steven Iwindoye, stated this in Lagos yesterday at a press briefing to address the issues with the company.
 
He said: “As a union, we recognise the important role that technology-driven transport platforms play in Nigeria’s economy. However, we must also emphasise that innovation must never become a cover for exploitation.
 
He said Uber/Moove recently increased the daily DTO remittance from N9,400 to N18,700, a 100 per cent increment allegedly imposed without consultation. This was done without a corresponding adjustment in passenger fares or a reduction in the commissions deducted from drivers, saying the action had placed unbearable financial strain on drivers already operating under tight margins.
 
He added that Uber/Moove had continued to deduct Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) fees from drivers, lamenting that to date, drivers had not been enrolled in any health scheme. 
 
“This constitutes both a breach of trust and a failure in corporate responsibility,” he added.

Meanwhile, Uber has stated that it contributed N34 billion to the Nigerian economy in 2023 while riders saved more than 1.8 million hours last year.
 
It also said the platform generated nearly N930 million in value for the nighttime economy, ensuring more people can safely enjoy restaurants, concerts, and nightlife, thereby boosting Nigeria’s growing tourism industry.
 
It made the revelation at a meeting with senior government officials, including representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and the World Bank’s SSATP team, alongside regulators, global safety experts, and private sector leaders.
 
The meeting aimed at advancing dialogue on safer, more inclusive transport.
 
The meeting also marked the launch of Uber’s Nigeria Economic Impact Report, conducted by Public First.
 
Beyond the figures, the report tells the story of everyday Nigerian drivers who earn and gain flexibility to support their families, women who rely on Uber for safe journeys home, and communities benefitting from stronger tourism, nightlife, and local business growth.
 
Drivers using the app earned N6.1 billion more in 2023, with average earnings sitting at 34% higher than their next best alternative. The report also found that flexibility, the freedom to decide when and how to work, carried an additional financial value of N6.3 billion. 
 
Convenience and safety remain at the heart of why Nigerians choose Uber, according to the study, revealing that 98 per cent of riders cite convenience, 97 per cent cite safety, and 96 per cent cite comfort as key reasons for using the app. 
 
General Manager, Uber Sub-Saharan Africa, Deepesh Thomas, said: “Uber is more than a way to move from A to B; it’s a platform that empowers people to shape their own futures. From drivers who value the flexibility of earning on their own terms, to women who feel safer getting home at night, to local businesses reaching more customers, Uber is proud to be part of Nigeria’s growth story.”