E-hailing drivers in Lagos state operating with the state government backed LagRide platform have listed allege persistent operational failures, unfulfilled promises, and exploitative practices by the app’s managing companies, as factors militating against their progress.
In a letter issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Steven Iwindoye, the drivers, known as “captains”, lamented the poor functionality of the LagRide mobile application, particularly in areas outside Lagos Island and the city’s central zones.
According to the union, drivers in locations such as Ikorodu, Badagry, Igando, Abule Egba, Alagbado, and Epe often go for hours without receiving trip requests, especially during peak periods.
“How can captains make consistent progress when the LagRide app still fails to function optimally? Many commuters in these areas have abandoned the service due to its inefficiencies, choosing alternative transport options,” the statement partly read.
Punch reports that the drivers accused the platform’s operators of launching the service without adequate market research, visibility studies, or sustained advertising campaigns, adding that these gaps have led to low user engagement and a disconnect between the platform’s goals and the realities of the gig economy.
Captains also expressed frustration over unfulfilled promises, including the rollout of key app features such as real-time remittance tracking and in-app asset repayment visibility.
Although all drivers reportedly underwent a mandatory four-day onboarding and training programme, many say the commitments made during the sessions have not been honoured.
Beyond app-related complaints, the drivers alleged they have borne the financial burden of vehicle repairs, insurance, and maintenance for over two years, despite paying upfront fees to the platform’s financial partner, Ibile Holdings, claiming that insurance benefits have been inaccessible even in the event of accidents.
The statement further read, “The project has drifted far from its initial goal of empowerment. Instead, it now appears exploitative, operating under the guise of a technology-driven public initiative.”
The Union, however, called for urgent Lagere and the Central Implementation Group to immediately “fix persistent functionality issues and ensure app performance across all regions of Lagos, launch a statewide advertising and public awareness campaign, expand app coverage to underserved and outlying communities, and fulfil promises related to incentives, insurance, vehicle servicing, and repayment tracking, among others.
“We urge LagRide and relevant authorities to return to the drawing board. A collaborative redesign is needed to ensure the platform truly supports captains and meets public mobility needs,” it added.
Speaking, the Executive Director of LagRide, Niyi Saliu, told our correspondent that the complaints of the drivers have been taken, and work has since commenced on the same.
“We have since commenced discussion with them on it. I don’t want to call it an employee/employer relationship because they are like partners to us. There is a change from the platform they were using before to a new one called LagRide, and, expectedly, some things may come with it.
“They disagree on some things, but they have been on-boarded on the new platform. We are working on their complaints. They can also discuss other issues with us because they have a legitimate right to actually agitate for more. We are working; we may not be there yet, but some of their complaints have been resolved.”
