Uber Ends 12-Year Ride-Hailing Run in Nigeria

Uber Ends 12-Year Ride-Hailing Run in Nigeria

Uber has ended its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria, bringing its 12-year presence in the country to a close.

The company’s decision took effect today, September 2, 2026, after Uber announced that it would wind down operations in both Nigeria and Uganda following a review of its business priorities and investment focus across Africa.

Uber entered the Nigerian market in 2014, launching first in Lagos before expanding its services to other cities. Over the years, the platform became a familiar part of urban transportation, connecting passengers with independent drivers through its app.

In its message to Nigerian users, Uber described the decision as a difficult one and thanked customers for trusting the platform since its launch. The company also apologised for the disruption the shutdown may cause.

Uber said the decision is limited to Nigeria and Uganda and does not represent a withdrawal from the wider Sub-Saharan African market. The company said it will continue investing in markets where it believes it can create greater value for drivers and riders.

The company has also clarified that its decision to leave Nigeria was not caused by the recent Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports. Uber said the exit was instead the result of its review of its evolving business priorities and investment strategy across Africa.

For drivers, the shutdown means rider trip requests will no longer come through the Uber app from the effective date. Uber said it has been communicating with affected drivers and will provide a token of appreciation to active drivers as they transition.

Riders will still have a short window to resolve outstanding issues. Uber said its support channels will remain available for 21 days after the shutdown, while reports indicate that users can submit final account-related enquiries until September 23, 2026.

Uber for Business services in Nigeria will also be discontinued as part of the withdrawal. The company said it is communicating with affected business partners and customers during the transition.

Uber’s exit leaves other ride-hailing platforms competing for the drivers and passengers who previously relied on its service. More importantly, it closes the chapter on one of the companies that helped introduce app-based ride-hailing to Nigeria on a large scale.

Did you use Uber regularly and which ride-hailing platform do you think will benefit most from its exit?