App-based transport workers in Lagos, including drivers from popular platforms such as Bolt and Uber, have announced plans to shut down operations on May 1, 2025, in a coordinated 24-hour strike.

The protest, organized by the Lagos chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), is timed to coincide with International Workers’ Day and aims to spotlight what the union describes as “poor working conditions and anti-labour practices” in the ride-hailing industry.

In a statement signed by the union’s Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), AUATON said its members will log off all ride-hailing platforms for the entire day, refusing to take any trips in protest.

“The union is protesting against alleged poor wages, unjust deactivations, insecurity, and unsafe working conditions,” the statement read in part. It also listed excessive commission rates, lack of proper rider identification, mandatory facial recognition systems, and other “harmful and exploitative work policies” as key grievances.

If the planned strike is carried out, it is expected to cause significant disruptions to mobility across Lagos, with thousands of commuters who rely on ride-hailing services likely to experience delays and fare hikes from alternative transport options.

The union is demanding fairer compensation structures, safer work environments, and greater respect for drivers’ rights from app-based transport companies operating in Nigeria.