Uber Exits Nigeria After 12 Years, Ends Ride-Hailing Services

Uber has officially ended its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria after 12 years in the country, bringing an end to the company’s presence in one of Africa’s biggest transport markets.

The company announced on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, that it had taken the decision to wind down its Nigerian operations following a review of its business. From the effective date, drivers could no longer receive trip requests through the Uber app.

Uber first entered Nigeria in 2014, launching its service in Lagos before expanding to other cities. Over the years, the platform became a major part of urban transportation for Nigerians who relied on app-based rides for work, business, social activities and daily movement.

In its message to drivers, Uber described the decision as difficult and thanked them for their contribution to the company’s journey in Nigeria. The company also acknowledged the role its drivers played in helping residents move around safely and affordably.

Uber has not disclosed the exact number of drivers, riders or employees who will be affected by the shutdown. The company also did not provide detailed reasons for why it decided to leave the Nigerian market.

The announcement comes at a challenging period for Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry, with rising operating costs, fuel prices, inflation and currency pressures affecting both drivers and transportation companies. Competition among digital mobility platforms has also continued to increase.

There had also been recent tension between ride-hailing companies and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria over commercial operations at airports. FAAN had directed airport managers to stop Uber, Bolt and other e-hailing operators from commercial activities at its managed airports pending the completion of licensing arrangements.

However, Uber has specifically clarified that the FAAN directive was not responsible for its decision to leave Nigeria. The company said its exit followed a review of its changing business priorities and investment focus across Africa.

Uber’s departure also comes as the company is undergoing a major global restructuring. The American technology company announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs, representing roughly 10 per cent of its corporate workforce, as it seeks to simplify its structure and reduce management layers.

The company said its decision to leave Nigeria and Uganda is limited to those two markets and does not mean it is withdrawing from Africa completely. Uber said it remains committed to other African markets where it sees opportunities for growth.

For Nigerian riders, the exit means the loss of one of the country’s most recognisable international ride-hailing brands. Customers who depended on the platform will now have to rely more heavily on competing services and other transportation options.

The departure is also significant for thousands of drivers who built their income around Uber’s platform. While the exact number affected has not been released, the closure means drivers who depended on Uber requests will have to look for alternative platforms or other sources of income.

Uber said its Help Centre would remain available until September 23, 2026, to assist customers with final account-related enquiries. Drivers were also given access to support through the company’s Help Centre until September 24.

The company’s exit marks the end of a 12-year chapter that began when Uber introduced app-based ride-hailing to Lagos in 2014. Its arrival helped change how many Nigerians booked taxis and contributed to the rapid growth of the country’s digital transportation sector.

Uber’s departure is therefore more than the closure of another business. It is a major development for Nigeria’s technology and transport industry and could create fresh opportunities for local and international competitors seeking to capture the riders and drivers left behind.

For now, Uber’s Nigerian chapter has come to an end, with the company leaving after more than a decade of connecting Nigerian riders with drivers through its platform. The bigger question is how the country’s ride-hailing market will adjust now that one of its biggest global names is no longer operating.

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