Ride-hailing giant Uber has announced the shutdown of its operations in Nigeria, bringing an end to the company’s 12-year presence in the country and marking a major development in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving e-hailing industry.
Uber said it would wind down its Nigerian operations effective Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following what it described as a thorough review of its business. The company informed riders and drivers of the decision as the platform stopped accepting new ride requests in the country.
The company, which launched its service in Lagos in 2014, became one of the most recognisable names in Nigeria’s app-based transportation market. Its arrival helped popularise the use of smartphone applications to connect passengers with independent drivers and changed how many Nigerians accessed urban transportation.
In a message to customers, Uber acknowledged that the withdrawal could disrupt the routines of riders who had relied on the platform for daily journeys, while expressing appreciation for the trust Nigerians had placed in the service since its launch.
The company also thanked its driver-partners for their contribution to its operations, recognising the role they played in providing transportation services to riders over the years. Uber said its immediate priority was to support drivers, riders and local team members during the transition.
Uber has not described the decision as a withdrawal from Africa. The company said the move is limited to Nigeria and Uganda and that it remains committed to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it sees continued opportunities for growth and long-term investment.
The company said its decision followed a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across the continent. Uber explained that it is concentrating investment on markets where it believes it can create the greatest value for drivers by providing earning opportunities at scale while allowing riders to move around conveniently.
Uber also clarified that its departure from Nigeria was not caused by the recent Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria directive concerning e-hailing services at airports. FAAN had previously explained that its airport policy was intended to establish an operational framework for commercial transportation providers and was not a blanket ban on e-hailing services.
The clarification is significant because the FAAN directive had generated uncertainty among passengers and e-hailing operators in recent weeks, particularly over how Uber and other platforms would operate within airport environments.
Beyond the immediate effect on riders, Uber’s exit raises questions about the thousands of drivers who have used the platform as a source of income. The company said it had begun communicating directly with affected drivers and employees about the transition and would provide further information concerning applicable arrangements.
Uber said it would also provide a token of appreciation to active drivers as they transition following the cessation of its Nigerian operations. The company did not immediately disclose a specific figure for the number of drivers or employees affected by the withdrawal.
For riders, support services will remain available for a limited period after the shutdown. Uber said its rider support would continue for 21 days following the discontinuation of operations to address outstanding questions and transition-related matters.
The company also said it would continue handling users’ personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and its privacy policies. According to Uber, data retention would be limited to information required by law, while necessary security controls and other legal obligations would remain in place.
Uber’s withdrawal will also affect its Uber for Business service in Nigeria, which the company said would be discontinued as part of its wider exit from the market. Business customers and partners are being contacted as the transition takes place.
The departure comes as Nigeria’s e-hailing sector has become increasingly competitive. Platforms such as Bolt and inDrive have expanded their presence, giving riders and drivers alternatives in a market where operating costs, fuel prices and changing consumer preferences have continued to influence the economics of app-based transportation.
Uber’s exit therefore represents more than the closure of a single technology platform. The company was one of the early major players to establish app-based ride-hailing at scale in Nigeria, and its departure leaves a significant gap in a sector that has become an important part of urban mobility.
The immediate impact will be felt by Uber riders looking for alternative services and by drivers who must decide whether to move to competing platforms or pursue other transportation opportunities. Competition among the remaining operators could consequently become more important as the market adjusts to the absence of one of its best-known international brands.
After more than a decade in Nigeria, Uber’s decision closes an important chapter in the country’s technology and transportation story. While the company is leaving Nigeria, its continued commitment to other Sub-Saharan African markets indicates that the withdrawal is being presented as a strategic decision affecting specific markets rather than a broader retreat from the continent.
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