Global ride-hailing giant Uber has pulled the plug on its operations in Nigeria after 12 years, bringing an abrupt end to one of the country’s biggest e-hailing success stories.
The company announced that it would wind down its Nigerian operations from Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following what it described as a review of its business.
Uber broke the news to users in a message, saying the decision was difficult but necessary as the company reassesses where to concentrate its investments.
The shutdown means Nigerians who have relied on the platform for daily commuting, airport trips, business movements and late-night journeys will now have to turn to rival services and other transport options.
Uber first entered Nigeria in 2014, launching in Lagos before expanding its footprint to several other cities, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin City, Enugu, Kano, Kaduna, Owerri, Uyo and Warri.
For more than a decade, the company transformed how many Nigerians ordered taxis, allowing passengers to request rides through their phones while connecting them with independent drivers.
But the Nigerian journey has not been without controversy.
Uber drivers have repeatedly raised concerns over fares, commissions, working conditions and operating costs, while the wider e-hailing sector has faced increasing regulatory pressure and competition.
Only weeks before the exit announcement, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had become embroiled in a dispute involving Uber and rival platform Bolt over their operations at Nigerian airports.
FAAN had directed the platforms to halt commercial operations at airports under its management pending the finalisation of licence agreements, citing safety, security, accountability and operational concerns.
The authority later clarified that it had not imposed a blanket ban on e-hailing services and said discussions with the operators were ongoing.
However, Uber’s latest decision goes far beyond airport operations.
The company is leaving the Nigerian market altogether.
WHY IS UBER LEAVING?
Uber has linked the decision to changing business priorities and where it believes its investments can generate the greatest value.
The company stressed that the Nigerian exit is limited to Nigeria and Uganda and does not represent a withdrawal from the wider African market. Uber said it remains committed to sub-Saharan Africa and sees strong long-term opportunities in the region.
The announcement also comes as Uber embarks on a major global restructuring.
On the same day, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs, representing roughly 10 per cent of the company’s global workforce.
The company said it was removing layers of management, simplifying its structure and redirecting resources towards areas it considers more important for future growth, including autonomous vehicles and robotaxi technology.
WHAT HAPPENS TO NIGERIAN USERS?
Uber has moved to wind down its Nigerian business while supporting riders, drivers and local employees through the transition.
The company has also informed active drivers about the change and said it would provide a token of appreciation as they transition away from the platform.
Riders are not being completely cut off from support immediately. The company is expected to maintain customer support for a limited period after the shutdown to deal with outstanding issues.
Users with final account-related enquiries have been advised to contact Uber before September 23, 2026.
A SHOCKING END TO A 12-YEAR JOURNEY
Uber’s departure marks a major shake-up in Nigeria’s fast-growing ride-hailing industry.
What began in Lagos in 2014 as a new way of ordering taxis grew into a familiar part of urban transportation, particularly among young professionals and residents of major Nigerian cities.
Now, after 12 years, the Uber logo is disappearing from Nigeria’s streets — leaving thousands of riders and drivers wondering what comes next.
For competitors in the Nigerian e-hailing market, however, Uber’s exit could create a major opening to capture its former customers and drivers.
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