By Our Correspondent
Uber has ended its 12-year operation in Nigeria, shutting down its ride-hailing service with effect from Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after a review of its business priorities. The company also exited Uganda on the same day, narrowing its footprint in Africa.
Uber, which launched in Lagos in 2014, reportedly said it had made the “tough decision to wind down” operations in Nigeria, with riders and drivers no longer able to access trip requests through the app.
In messages to users and drivers, Uber thanked Nigerians for their patronage and acknowledged the disruption caused by the decision. Its Help Centre will reportedly remain available until September 23 for customers with outstanding account-related issues. The company did not disclose specific financial or regulatory reasons for the withdrawal, saying only that the decision followed a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa.
The exit comes amid a wider restructuring at Uber, which on Wednesday announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs, or roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce.
Reuters reports that the Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said the restructuring was aimed at simplifying the company’s organisation and sharpening its priorities, while freeing resources for growth and innovation.
Uber’s departure leaves Nigeria’s increasingly competitive ride-hailing market open to rivals such as Bolt and other local platforms. The company said the withdrawal is limited to Nigeria and Uganda and does not affect its operations elsewhere in Africa, where it remains committed to what it describes as a region with strong long-term growth prospects.