Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years, ending ride-hailing operations on September 2, 2026, following a review of its business in the country

Global ride-hailing company Uber ended its operations in Nigeria on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, bringing its 12-year presence in the country to a close after launching its service in Lagos in 2014.

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The company informed Nigerian drivers and riders of the decision after what it described as a thorough review of its business, saying ride requests would no longer be available through the Uber app from the effective date.

“After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026,” Uber said.

The departure marks a significant moment for Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry.

Uber was among the companies that helped establish app-based urban transport as a mainstream option in the country, connecting passengers with independent drivers through its platform.

When Uber entered the Nigerian market in 2014, Lagos was its first major destination in the country.

The service subsequently became part of everyday urban mobility, particularly for commuters seeking app-based alternatives to traditional taxi services.

Uber said it recognised that its departure could disrupt the routines of customers who had come to depend on the platform.

“Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers,” the company said in its message to users.

The company also thanked drivers for their contribution over the years, acknowledging their role in providing transportation services across Nigerian cities.

“For years, your commitment to your riders has kept this city moving safely and affordably,” Uber told its driver community.

The decision comes against a backdrop of an increasingly competitive Nigerian ride-hailing market, with platforms such as Bolt and inDrive providing alternatives to Uber and competing for both passengers and drivers.

Recent reports have also highlighted pressures around pricing, commissions and operating conditions within the sector.

Uber did not give a detailed explanation for its Nigerian exit in the notices issued to drivers and customers, instead referring to a review of its business. Reports indicate that the withdrawal is limited to Nigeria and Uganda and does not represent a departure from Uber’s wider African operations.

The timing also follows recent regulatory friction involving e-hailing services at Nigerian airports.

In August, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria said commercial ride-hailing operations at its airports were subject to licensing and operational requirements, stressing that its position was driven by safety, security and passenger convenience rather than an attempt to eliminate e-hailing services.

For drivers, the closure represents the loss of an established platform that had provided access to passengers and income opportunities.

For riders, it removes one of the country’s best-known ride-hailing brands and leaves competitors to absorb some of the displaced demand.

Uber said its support channels would remain available for a limited period to help users and drivers with outstanding concerns.

Its driver notice stated that the Help Centre would remain open until September 24, while a separate customer communication cited September 23 for final account-related enquiries.

The exit closes a notable chapter in Nigeria’s evolving mobility story. What began in Lagos in 2014 as a relatively new way of requesting a car has, over 12 years, become part of the country’s wider digital transport ecosystem.

Uber’s departure does not end app-based ride-hailing in Nigeria. Instead, it leaves a more competitive field to existing operators and creates an opening for other mobility companies to deepen their presence in a market where demand for convenient urban transportation remains substantial.

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For Nigerians who used Uber for work, airport journeys, social occasions and everyday travel, however, the change is more immediate and personal: a familiar name on their phones has disappeared after more than a decade on the road.