Uber increases fares by 13% amid fuel price hike

Ride-hailing platform, Uber, has informed its drivers of a 13% fare increment to assist them soften the effect of the recent fuel price hike in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a mail Uber sent to the drivers operating on its platform on Friday, September 6, 2024.

“We understand that your operational costs may have increased due to the current macroeconomic situation and want to help ensure your earnings are protected. With this in mind, we have reflected a 13% increase in the UberX product,” Uber stated in the mail.

“We are confident that this change will have a positive impact on your earnings opportunity, and we aim to continue working on initiatives that help make Uber the app of choice for you while maintaining an affordable service for riders.”

Nigeria’s two ride-hailing platforms Uber and Bolt typically charge a commission rate of around 20-25% from drivers, they (drivers) had protested over this in the past describing it as too high.

On Tuesday, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited reviewed the price of fuel from N617 per litre to N855 and N897 naira depending on location.

Despite the increase in price, many filling stations in the country still do not have fuel to sell while those that have fuel have immediately increased their prices.

The queues which have been on for weeks are still visible despite the price increase as car owners and transporters continue to struggle to get the product at high prices.

Following the hike in fuel price, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to occupy major cities across the country on September 15 if fuel prices is not reversed by then.

The Senate President of NANS, Henry Okuomo, stated this on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Okuomo said the body must act swiftly to alleviate the severe hardships faced by millions of Nigerians due to the recent increase in fuel prices.

“We are not threatening a strike. That is what we are going to do because of the current situation of the country. Nigerians are currently facing a lot. We are facing hardship, and now, the government has increased fuel prices again. This has affected us as students. And as student leaders, we don’t have a choice now but to fight for the people.

“We are occupying one of the largest stakes in the country, having over 40 million Nigerian students in the country.

“With that, we think we should make our voice loud at this time to save the Nigerian people from this undue stress and suffering being put upon them by the government.

“We have determined that on the 15th of this month, no going back. We are hitting the street hard.

“We are going to demand not only for a reduction in fuel price but for other things that are affecting the nation in general.”