Uber has made cash payments to select drivers on its platform following its abrupt exit from Nigeria and Uganda, with some drivers receiving ₦40,000 ($30.28) each as a “goodwill gesture.”
In its shutdown message on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Uber informed drivers that it would make a one-off final payment but did not state how much or when they should expect the payouts.
One driver, who spoke with Techpoint Africa, said he received a payout of ₦40,000, adding that only drivers who were active on Uber for three to six months received the payment. Another driver confirmed the ₦40,000 payout but said he did not receive it because he has not been active on the platform. He noted that some colleagues received less than the stated amount because of debts owed to the platform, which were duly deducted.
Drivers React
One driver said he saw Uber’s exit coming because the requests on the platform were already drying up. According to him, there used to be an influx of requests on Uber, but everything changed after fuel prices shot up due to the removal of the subsidy. He added that dwindling purchasing power has forced many people to stop patronising e-hailing platforms.
“Uber won’t be missed by the drivers because we have other options; we would simply put in more effort on Bolt and InDrive,” he said, while admitting that the government might miss Uber because of the taxes.
Another driver said Uber’s exit is very painful to him because he has been on the platform for almost a decade. He praised Uber’s tight security and fairness to both drivers and riders alike. However, he believes a combination of limited and declining demand and multiple taxation forced Uber out of Nigeria. He lamented that in the wake of Uber’s departure, the remaining alternatives might introduce more stringent measures that are unfriendly to drivers.
The Bigger Picture
Uber’s departure leaves drivers with fewer options, though competitors like Bolt and InDrive remain active in the Nigerian market. The underlying challenges that forced Uber out — including rising fuel costs, multiple taxation, and dwindling purchasing power — have not been dealt with.
The company’s exit from Nigeria and Uganda followed an announcement that it was cutting 3,300 jobs to fund its move into driverless cars. Its African presence has now been significantly reduced.
The Bottom Line
Uber has paid select Nigerian drivers ₦40,000 each as a goodwill gesture following its exit from Nigeria. Drivers who were active on the platform for three to six months received the payment, while others received less due to debts owed. Some drivers say they saw the exit coming due to rising fuel costs and declining demand, while others lament the loss of a platform they relied on for nearly a decade. Uber’s departure leaves drivers with fewer options, though competitors like Bolt and InDrive remain active.
