We’re being killed, victimised – Nigerian app-based drivers lament in petition to National Assembly

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, AUATON, has petitioned the National Assembly over what it described as systemic corporate violence, repeated victimization and the misclassification of app-based transport workers by leading ride-hailing companies— Uber, Bolt, and In Drive.

The petition was dated May 1, 2025, and submitted to the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions.

In the petition, AUATON called on the National Assembly to intervene in addressing the precarious working conditions of thousands of Nigerian drivers who operate on these platforms.

National President of the Union, Damola Adeniran, in the petition, said the tech companies have failed to protect drivers from violent crimes, including carjackings and murder.

The union said this has been a frequent issue due to inadequate passenger profiling and weak security measures.

The union alleged that the tech companies exploit drivers and Nigerian workers by capitalising on a loophole in Nigeria’s labour classification system.

According to the union, the companies treat drivers as “self-employed,” denying them essential rights such as social protection, fair compensation and collective bargaining.

Adeniran added that several Nigerian families are now without their loved ones from incidents occurring on the companies’ platforms.

He said, “Platform drivers have been victims of manslaughter, carjacking, car theft and other violent crimes.This problem stems from the misclassification of drivers under a disguised employment relationship.”

The union backed their petition up by referencing Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 91 of the Labour Act, and several International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

The union also brought to the attention of the National Assembly cases of violence suffered by app-based drivers.

Adeniran narrated the case of one Mr Kevin Ogah Ede, who was killed after a ride in October 2023, adding that despite having a car tracker, his killers are still at large and no justice done.

He said till this moment, the driver’s family received no support or response from his employers, Bolt.

Adeniran also pointed to the case of one Pastor Luka, who was shot in the neck during an attempted by the criminal to snatch his car in May 2024.

“He survived but spent two months in the hospital. Two of his attackers were later released without prosecution.”

AUATON asked the National Assembly, among other things, to hold a National Restorative Conference in July 2025 involving lawmakers, regulators, platform companies and workers’ representatives to redefine the employment status of app-based drivers and extend social protection to them.

The union also criticized the failure of the National Collective Agreement, adopted in May 2024, which it said has not delivered meaningful change for drivers.

It urged the National Assembly to learn from its shortcomings and take decisive legislative action.

“This petition challenges the actions of platforms in Nigeria as a violation of the constitutional and fundamental human rights of app-based transport workers,” the petition added.

The petition was submitted alongside a research publication commissioned by AUATON to support its claims and policy recommendations.

We’re being killed, victimised – Nigerian app-based drivers lament in petition to National Assembly