Global ride-hailing company, Uber, has announced its exit from Nigeria after 12 years of operations in the country.
The company said it would wind down its Nigerian operations effective Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following a review of its business.
Uber, however, stressed that it remains committed to Sub-Saharan Africa and that the withdrawal from Nigeria would not affect its operations elsewhere on the continent.
The exits come as Uber announced its largest workforce reduction since the COVID-19 pandemic. The company plans to eliminate about 3,300 positions, equivalent to roughly 10% of its global workforce of about 34,000 employees at the end of 2025.
Uber prepares for a driverless future
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company’s rapid expansion over the past five years had created additional management layers, fragmented ownership and organisational complexity that had slowed decision-making.
The restructuring will reduce the number of employees positioned seven or more reporting layers below the CEO by 20%, while the number of teams with only one or two direct reports will be cut by nearly half. Uber is also reducing fully remote roles to about 1% of its workforce.
The company said the savings generated from the restructuring would be reinvested in growth, innovation and capabilities it considers important to its future.
One of the biggest priorities is autonomous mobility. Uber plans to invest more than $10 billion in robotaxis in the coming years, backing companies developing autonomous-driving technology and positioning its platform to serve as a marketplace for driverless rides.
Uber Nigeria struggles
Uber, which launched its services in Lagos in 2014, announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, describing it as a difficult decision.
“After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026,” the company said.
The ride-hailing firm thanked Nigerians for welcoming and using its platform over the years, acknowledging the disruption its departure may cause to customers.
Uber said its help centre would remain available until September 23 to assist customers with final account-related enquiries.
The company’s operations in Nigeria had faced several challenges over the years, including protests by drivers over fares, commission rates and alleged poor treatment. Similar protests were recorded in 2017, 2023 and 2025.
Uber, which began operations globally in 2009, has now exited 14 countries across Asia and Africa.
Its departure marks the end of a 12-year presence in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving ride-hailing market.
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