NLC Demands Legislation to Regulate Uber Bolt inDrive Over Labor Rights and Safety Violations

The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has intensified demands for legislation to regulate operations of ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive, citing systemic labor rights violations and safety risks for drivers and passengers. The call was formalized during a State House of Assembly hearing following a petition from the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). The petition, titled “Public Petition Against Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide for Non-Compliance with the National Collective Agreement and Corporate Negligence Resulting in the Victimisation of App-Based Transport Workers in Nigeria,” highlights exploitative labor practices, inadequate safety measures, and regulatory non-compliance [1].

Chairperson of the Lagos NLC chapter, Comrade Agnes Sessi, criticized the companies for importing “distasteful practices” from other markets, including unfair pricing mechanisms and deplorable working conditions. She emphasized that despite generating significant revenue in Nigeria, these firms treat drivers as “modern-day slaves,” a characterization the NLC firmly rejects. Sessi also pointed to the absence of driver profiling and background checks, which have contributed to incidents of violence, including assaults and fatalities. “The state cannot afford to have a bad name because these companies fail to protect lives,” she stated, urging the government to enact enforceable laws to safeguard all parties involved [1].

The hearing featured testimonies from victims, including Biola Olabanji, the widow of a driver killed in 2021 while on duty with a ride-hailing app. Olabanji recounted how her husband, who worked to support his family, was robbed and stabbed by a passenger after a routine trip. She described the emotional and financial toll of losing her husband, including eviction from their home and the burden of sole parenthood for four years. The NLC also highlighted the case of Comrade Yusfat Olawale Ayinda, a driver killed by a passenger in 2021. Despite repeated appeals, the platform he used—Bolt—has not provided financial or emotional support to his family, according to Sessi. These accounts underscore the human cost of unregulated operations and the need for corporate accountability [1].

The NLC’s push for legislation includes mandatory profiling of both drivers and passengers, requiring verification through the National Identity Number (NIN) linked to apps. Sessi argued that collaboration between app companies and AUATON could streamline this process, ensuring safety without compromising operational efficiency. The union also emphasized that existing labor laws, including the National Collective Agreement, should be extended to cover app-based transporters, who currently operate in a legal gray area [1].

The demand for regulation aligns with broader debates about gig economy governance in Nigeria, where platforms like Uber and Bolt face scrutiny over their treatment of workers in other African markets. The Lagos NLC’s focus on legislative action signals a shift from fragmented, case-by-case advocacy to systemic reform. However, the success of such efforts will depend on the willingness of tech firms to engage with unions and comply with local laws. Critics argue that without robust enforcement mechanisms, new legislation may struggle to address entrenched inequalities in the sector. For now, the NLC’s efforts have brought renewed attention to the vulnerabilities of app-based transporters, framing the issue as a matter of public safety and labor justice [1].

Source: [1] [title1NLC calls for legislation to regulate Uber, Bolt, inDrive operations in Lagos] [url1https://technext24.com/2025/07/25/nlc-legislation-uber-bolt-indrive-lagos/]