EXPERT BLAMES COMPETITION FOR UBER’S NIGERIA EXIT

A technology expert, Femi Bejide, has attributed Uber’s decision to end its operations in Nigeria partly to intense competition and the company’s declining market share.

Bejide, a software and solutions architect, said Uber had lost significant ground to rival ride-hailing platforms such as Bolt and inDrive, which have competed aggressively on pricing and driver incentives.

He argued that Uber’s business model had not adapted sufficiently to changes in Nigeria’s ride-hailing market, while the company’s broader global strategy also influenced its decision to leave.

Uber officially discontinued its Nigerian operations on September 2, 2026, ending a 12-year presence in the country. The company said the decision followed a review of its business operations and investment priorities.

The exit comes as ride-hailing companies face rising fuel, vehicle maintenance and other operating costs in Nigeria. Drivers have also raised concerns over commissions and the difficulty of maintaining profitable operations.

Bejide’s assessment adds to growing discussions about the challenges facing foreign technology companies operating in Nigeria and the need to adapt business models to local market conditions.

Uber’s departure is expected to create opportunities for competing platforms to attract some of its former drivers and customers, although industry stakeholders say broader challenges affecting the e-hailing sector remain unresolved.

The development has also renewed calls for regulators and industry players to review policies and operating conditions affecting app-based transportation businesses in Nigeria.