NEWS
Uber Shuts Down Operations in Nigeria After 12 Years, Sends Shockwaves Across Ride-Hailing Industry
Uber has announced the immediate closure of its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria, bringing an end to the global mobility company’s 12-year presence in one of Africa’s largest and most significant transportation markets.
The company disclosed that it will wind down its operations in both Nigeria and Uganda effective Wednesday, September 2, 2026, marking a major development for Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital transportation sector.
Uber made the announcement in a statement shared with Nairametrics on Wednesday, September 2, explaining that the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of its business operations and priorities.
“After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective September 2, 2026,” Uber said.
The company, however, clarified that the decision is restricted to Nigeria and Uganda and will not affect its operations in other African markets where it continues to provide mobility services.
Uber entered the Nigerian market in 2014, launching first in Lagos at a time when the country’s transportation system was beginning to embrace technology-driven alternatives.
Its arrival represented a significant shift in the way Nigerians accessed private transportation. Through the Uber app, passengers could request rides from their smartphones, view driver information, monitor their journeys in real time and make transportation arrangements without having to hail taxis from the roadside.
Following its successful launch in Lagos, Uber expanded its footprint to Abuja and other major Nigerian cities as demand for app-based transportation continued to grow.
Over the years, the company established a presence in several cities, including Benin City, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Warri, Uyo and Owerri, making it one of the most recognisable ride-hailing brands in the country.
Uber also rolled out different products and service categories at various stages of its Nigerian operations, including Uber Go, Uber Package and Uber Moto, as it sought to serve customers with different transportation and delivery needs.
In 2016, the company announced that it had already facilitated more than one million trips in Lagos, just two years after launching in the city.
Beyond connecting passengers with drivers, the platform became an important source of income for thousands of driver-partners across the country.
For many drivers, Uber provided either a primary means of livelihood or a flexible opportunity to supplement income from other jobs, businesses and personal ventures.
The company’s departure is therefore expected to have implications extending beyond its millions of riders, potentially affecting drivers, employees, service partners and other businesses that formed part of its wider ecosystem.
Acknowledging the disruption that the shutdown could cause, Uber said it would focus on supporting the various groups affected by the decision as operations come to an end.
The company said its “immediate priority is to support drivers, riders and local team members through the transition.”
However, Uber has not yet provided extensive details on the specific measures or arrangements it intends to put in place for drivers, employees and other partners affected by the closure.
Questions may also arise over the status of customers with funds in their accounts, pending payments, unresolved complaints, ongoing transactions or other issues connected to the platform as the wind-down takes effect.
Uber’s departure represents a significant turning point for Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry, particularly given the company’s role in popularising app-based transportation in the country.
Its exit leaves existing and prospective users to consider alternative mobility platforms, while competitors in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive ride-hailing market could see changes in demand and market share.
For thousands of drivers and passengers who have relied on Uber over the past 12 years, the September 2 shutdown effectively closes a major chapter in Nigeria’s digital transportation story.
More details are expected from Uber regarding the transition process and how it plans to address the concerns of riders, drivers, employees and other stakeholders affected by the decision.