Union demands immediate consultation, warns against policies that threaten livelihoods of app-based drivers
The Lagos State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has accused the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) of sidelining drivers in the rollout of its new vehicle inspection schedule for e-hailing operators.
In a strongly worded statement issued by AUATON Lagos Chairman, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, the union condemned what it described as a “deliberate act of disregard” for the workforce, saying the Ministry, led by Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, invited only major billion-naira-earning app companies to a stakeholders’ meeting while ignoring the legally recognized trade union representing drivers.
According to AUATON, the new policy—if implemented without input from drivers—could have devastating consequences, particularly for operators who reside outside Lagos but rely on the state’s market to earn a living.
“For many of our members, Lagos offers the best opportunity to provide for their families. This policy poses a direct threat to their livelihoods, especially for inter-state drivers. Their future is now uncertain due to a regulatory approach that excludes the very people whose lives will be most affected,” Azeez stated.
The union noted that even the Lagos State House of Assembly had directed the MOT to engage directly with AUATON, but the ministry has so far failed to comply—setting what the union described as a “dangerous precedent” in policymaking.
AUATON’s concerns include:
- Centralizing decision-making in the hands of app companies, thereby silencing drivers.
- Imposing unaffordable inspection costs and penalties on already struggling drivers amid high commission rates, fuel costs, and state levies.
- Discriminating against lawful inter-state operators who live outside Lagos.
While reaffirming its support for safety, regulation, and accountability, AUATON insisted that such goals must not be used as a pretext to enrich corporations at the expense of workers. The union also reminded the government of the National Collective Agreement signed on May 13, 2024, at the Lagos Restorative Conference—an accord aimed at addressing social protection, collective bargaining, and fair opportunities for workers in the app-based transport sector.
The union’s key demands include:
- Immediate consultation with AUATON as the legally recognized drivers’ representative.
- Review of the inspection policy to reflect the realities of inter-state operators.
- Inclusion of social protection, fair commission structures, and collective bargaining rights in regulations.
- Creation of a Social Welfare Fund for victims of corporate negligence and improved passenger safety profiling.
- Adoption of a human-centered regulatory approach that safeguards workers’ rights.
AUATON urged the Lagos State Government to avoid rushing the policy without thorough dialogue, warning against “hidden taxes” in the form of costly inspection requirements. Instead, the union recommended affordable car financing schemes, tackling exploitative commission rates, and enhancing safety measures through genuine collaboration.
“Without drivers, there is no e-hailing industry. We are not just numbers in a database—we are fathers, mothers, breadwinners, and taxpayers. The survival of this sector depends on fair and inclusive governance,” Azeez stressed.
