Drivers operating on ride-hailing platforms in Benin City, Edo State, have announced a seven-day strike in protest against what they describe as unsustainably low fares. The action, scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026, was confirmed by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, which represents e-hailing drivers across the country.

The strike will affect drivers working with platforms including Uber, Bolt, and inDrive. Union leaders say the decision follows unsuccessful efforts to push for fare adjustments that reflect rising operating costs and worsening economic conditions.

According to the union, drivers can no longer maintain their livelihoods under the current pricing structure, especially as fuel prices, maintenance costs, and the general cost of living continue to climb. The group argues that app-based transport platforms retain control over fare pricing, leaving drivers with shrinking take-home earnings.

Rising Fuel Prices Driving Earnings Crisis

Fuel remains the single biggest expense for e-hailing drivers, and recent price increases have intensified pressure on operators. Petrol prices have surged significantly in recent weeks, climbing from around ₦850 per litre to approximately ₦1,080 and now averaging about ₦1,200. This represents close to a 50 percent increase, dramatically reducing profit margins for drivers who depend on daily trips.

With fares largely unchanged across platforms, drivers say they are absorbing the additional costs without any corresponding increase in earnings.

Union Directs Drivers to Boycott Ride-Hailing Apps

The Edo State chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria has instructed members to suspend all app-based operations between March 26 and April 1, 2026. The goal is to compel ride-hailing companies to enter negotiations and revise fare structures.

Union officials also indicated that monitoring teams would be deployed across the state to ensure compliance. Drivers who ignore the directive may face internal disciplinary measures from the union.

While acknowledging that the strike may inconvenience commuters, the union said the action is necessary to protect the financial survival of its members.



Growing Tension in Nigeria’s Ride-Hailing Sector

The planned strike underscores mounting friction between drivers and ride-hailing platforms in Nigeria. As inflation and fuel costs rise, drivers increasingly argue that platform-controlled pricing models no longer reflect real operating expenses.

This dispute in Benin City mirrors similar concerns raised by drivers in other parts of the country, where calls for fare reviews, reduced commission rates, and better working conditions have intensified.

If widely observed, the seven-day strike could disrupt ride-hailing services across Edo State and add pressure on platforms to revisit pricing policies.