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Bolt Denies Increasing Its Commission to 24% in Nigeria

Recently, there has been a lot of talk online and among drivers that Bolt Nigeria, a popular e-hailing company, has increased its commission to 24%. This news caused worry among many drivers who depend on Bolt for their daily income. However, Bolt Nigeria has come out clearly to deny these claims. Bolt denies increasing its commission to 24% in Nigeria and that the current commission rate remains at 20%, according to a spokesperson for the company.

The confusion started because a message was shared, claiming that Bolt would raise its commission to 24% starting from July 14. The message said the increase would include VAT and that the extra money would help Bolt improve its services, safety features, and give better incentives to both drivers and passengers. It also mentioned that the rider booking fee would go up to 5%. But Bolt Nigeria insists that this message did not come from them and is not true for Nigeria.

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Further investigation showed that the message actually came from South Africa, where drivers are already unhappy because the commission there might rise to 29%. A driver named Donald Mokwena from Johannesburg shared the message, which caused confusion for Nigerian drivers who thought the same was happening in their country.

Bolt Denies Increasing Its Commission to 24% in Nigeria

This denial from Bolt is very important because many drivers in Nigeria have been complaining about their low earnings. One of the biggest reasons they give is the high commission fees charged by e-hailing companies like Bolt, Uber, and inDrive. Drivers say these fees take a large part of their income, making it hard for them to make a living. During a protest on Workers’ Day, drivers under the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) demanded that commission fees be reduced to 5%. They even threatened to stop working with big companies like Bolt if their demands were not met.

Steven Iwindoye, the Public Relations Officer of AUATON, said drivers are ready to switch to local app companies that will listen to their demands. He called the current situation “slavery and exploitation” by the big e-hailing companies. This shows how serious the drivers are about wanting fairer treatment.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has also stepped in to help. After a public hearing based on a petition by AUATON, the assembly ordered companies like Bolt, Uber, and inDrive to be transparent about how much they pay drivers and the commissions they take. They want proof that there is no financial wrongdoing. If Bolt had raised its commission now, it would have sent a very bad message, especially when everyone is watching closely.

The fight over commission fees has been going on for a long time. Drivers feel that the companies do not do enough to deserve taking 20 to 25% of their fares. According to Steven Iwindoye, drivers are the backbone of the business. They own and maintain their cars, pay for fuel, and face many challenges on the road. Meanwhile, the companies just connect drivers to riders and take a big cut of the money. Many drivers struggle so much that they sometimes sleep in their cars because they cannot afford to go home.

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If Bolt had increased its commission to 24% in Nigeria, it would have been a big problem for drivers who are already struggling. The company’s denial brings relief to many who hope for better earnings and fairer treatment. Drivers believe that lowering commissions will help them have more stable incomes and improve their lives.

Bolt denies increasing its commission to 24% in Nigeria, stating that the message about the increase actually came from South Africa, not Nigeria. Bolt’s current commission remains at 20%. This denial is important because drivers in Nigeria are fighting for lower commissions to improve their earnings. The Lagos State government is also pushing for transparency to protect drivers’ rights. For now, drivers can be assured that Bolt Nigeria has not raised its commission, giving them hope for fairer conditions in the future.

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Oluchukwu Ikemefuna
Oluchukwu Ikemefuna

Oluchukwu Blessing Ikemefuna, a talented content writer from Anambra, Nigeria, found her writing passion in secondary school. Holding a degree in Biological Sciences from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, she specializes in blog writing across technology, finance, healthcare, education, and lifestyle sectors. With strong research and SEO skills, Oluchukwu creates engaging content globally. Her work aims to inspire and engage authentically while driving action. Outside work, she enjoys travel, reading, and movies as she grows as a skilled writer.

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