The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), have given Uber Technologies Inc. 14 days to return to the negotiating table after the ride-hailing company shut down its operations in the country, escalating a dispute over compensation and the treatment of workers affected by the exit.
The Union, in a letter dated September 11 to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called for Uber to be summoned for negotiations with drivers and other platform workers.
Uber announced around September 2 that it had wound down its Nigerian ride-hailing operations after a review of its business. According to AUATON, the company did not consult the union or negotiate exit terms before the shutdown.
“No structured consultation was held with AUATON, no redundancy procedure under Nigerian law was observed, and no collective negotiation of exit terms was opened with the recognised union of the workers whose labour built that market,” the letter read.
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The union argues that Uber’s departure should not be treated simply as a business decision because the platform organised work, determined prices and commissions, allocated trips through algorithms and controlled drivers’ access to the platform.
“When such a platform leaves, the loss of work is an involuntary and permanent loss of livelihood caused by the operational decision of the undertaking,” the union stated.
AUATON is demanding negotiations covering redundancy and separation payments, outstanding trip earnings, bonuses and disputed balances. It also wants discussions on vehicle-financing and leasing arrangements entered into by drivers while operating on Uber, including the risk of residual debt and stranded vehicles.
The union is also seeking a process for reviewing previously deactivated or suspended drivers, as well as safeguards for drivers’ data, ratings and work histories to ensure they can continue working on other platforms.
Rather than asking the government to force Uber to resume its Nigerian operations, AUATON said it wants the company to appear, disclose, consult and negotiate with workers’ representatives.
The union has asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to summon Uber Technologies Inc., Uber B.V. and its Nigerian affiliates or successors to negotiations, with AUATON and the NLC participating.
It has also asked that funds, data and records potentially required to settle workers’ claims not be moved beyond reach while negotiations are pending.
“Pending the meeting, Uber be directed not to dissipate, transfer offshore, or otherwise put beyond reach, funds, data or records required to settle Nigerian workers’ claims, and that the help-centre window announced to 23 September 2026 not be treated as the close of Uber’s legal obligations in Nigeria,” the union stated.
AUATON warned that if Uber fails to appear within the 14-day period, it may pursue the dispute under Nigeria’s trade-dispute framework and approach the National Industrial Court for relief.
The union said it is prepared to submit a list of affected members, a detailed negotiation agenda and proposed terms for a collective exit protocol within 48 hours of receiving an invitation from the Ministry.
