Uber Exits Nigeria After 12 Years, Ends Ride-Hailing Operations
Global ride-hailing company Uber has officially shut down its operations in Nigeria, ending a 12-year presence in the country’s fast-growing digital transportation industry.
The company’s Nigerian operations ceased on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following a decision to wind down its services after reviewing its business priorities and investment strategy across Africa.
Uber first launched in Nigeria in 2014, starting in Lagos before expanding its ride-hailing services to other Nigerian cities. Its arrival helped accelerate the adoption of app-based transportation, giving commuters an alternative to traditional taxi services while creating income opportunities for thousands of drivers.
In a statement explaining the decision, Uber said the move followed a review of its “evolving business priorities and investment focus across the continent.”
The company stressed that the decision was specific to Nigeria and Uganda and should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from the wider Sub-Saharan African market.
Uber said it remains committed to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it continues to see growth opportunities. The company is instead focusing its investment on markets where it believes it can create greater value and provide earning opportunities for drivers at scale.
The exit comes against the backdrop of difficult operating conditions in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector. Rising fuel costs, inflation, currency volatility and increasing competition have placed pressure on both drivers and ride-hailing platforms. Industry observers have also pointed to complaints from drivers over fares and commission structures as part of the broader challenges facing the sector.
However, Uber has clarified that its departure from Nigeria was not caused by the recent Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports. The company said its decision was made independently as part of its broader review of business priorities.
The development is expected to reshape competition within Nigeria’s e-hailing market, with rival platforms potentially looking to attract Uber’s former customers and driver partners.
For millions of Nigerians who relied on Uber for transportation, the shutdown marks the end of an era that began when app-based ride-hailing was still relatively new in the country.
The company’s exit also comes as Uber undertakes a major global restructuring, including plans to cut about 3,300 corporate jobs, representing roughly 10 per cent of its workforce, while redirecting resources towards strategic growth areas and autonomous transportation technology.
Despite leaving Nigeria, Uber continues to invest in new transportation technologies. The company has also expanded its partnership with autonomous-driving firms, including the launch of robotaxi services in London.
For Nigeria, Uber’s departure highlights both the opportunities and challenges of operating technology-driven businesses in a market where economic conditions, regulation and operating costs can significantly influence long-term investment decisions.