The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has opened an investigation into Uber’s decision to discontinue its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria, particularly over the company’s obligations to customers whose services may have remained unresolved.
The Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, disclosed the development in an interview with Bloomberg on Sunday.
Bello said the commission was examining the circumstances surrounding the company’s departure, with specific attention to how it handled outstanding consumer-related obligations after terminating its Nigerian operations.
“We are looking into the manner of their exit, particularly in respect of unfulfilled services to the customers,” he said.
Uber announced on September 2 that it had decided to wind down its operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect.
The global ride-hailing company said the decision followed a comprehensive review of its operations, stressing that the withdrawal was restricted to the two markets and would not affect its business in other African countries.
In announcing the decision, the company said: “After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective September 2, 2026. This decision is limited strictly to these two markets and does not impact our operations across the rest of the continent.”
The abrupt departure has created fresh opportunities for competitors in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, with operators such as Bolt and inDrive signalling plans to strengthen their operations and attract Uber’s former customers and drivers.
Uber had maintained a presence in Nigeria for more than 10 years, becoming one of the country’s leading app-based transport platforms.
However, its operations were frequently accompanied by disagreements with drivers over issues including fares, commissions and working conditions.
Drivers staged protests against the company in 2017, 2023 and 2025, highlighting persistent tensions within its driver-partner network.
The latest development also comes against the backdrop of a wider restructuring by Uber globally. The company recently announced plans to eliminate more than 3,000 jobs as part of efforts to streamline its management structure and concentrate expenditure on its core operations.
The FCCPC probe will now examine the circumstances of Uber’s departure from Nigeria and whether consumers with outstanding or unfulfilled services were adequately protected.
The investigation could also provide regulatory clarity on the responsibilities of multinational digital platforms when withdrawing from the Nigerian market, particularly where their exit affects customers, drivers and other stakeholders.
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