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LagRide Drivers are Abandoning the App due to a N10,000 Daily Fee, Poor Demand, and Other Issues
LagRide drivers are fed up and leaving the app in droves. They’re frustrated with how things are going, and it’s not hard to see why. The main problems are a new payment system, not enough people using the service, and a bunch of technical issues with the app itself. All these problems have led many drivers to just stop using the platform altogether.
Recently, there was a meeting between the drivers and the people in charge of LagRide, which includes CIG Motors and Ibile Holdings. The drivers were clear about their frustrations. Comrade Stephen Iwindoye, who represents the Lagos Chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria, explained that the drivers are unhappy with how the app is performing and the policies that have been introduced by the new management.
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One of the biggest complaints is about a new payment system. Now, drivers have to send all their earnings directly to LagRide’s account. They then get reimbursed once a week, but they’re allowed to keep just ₦10,000 each day as a temporary measure. Many drivers think this is unfair because ₦10,000 isn’t enough to cover their daily expenses like fuel and personal needs. “We use at least ₦20,000 worth of fuel every day,” one driver pointed out. “What can you do with ₦10,000? Is it for fuel or for food?” This policy has caused a lot of financial stress for drivers using the LagRide app.
Another major issue is with the app itself. Drivers say it lacks basic features like Google Maps for navigation and fare estimates for riders. Without Google Maps, drivers often struggle to find passengers or navigate efficiently because the current map system doesn’t cover all areas of Lagos. Plus, riders can’t even input their destination on the app, which leads to confusion and arguments over prices between passengers and drivers. All these glitches have made working on the LagRide app really frustrating for many.
The problems started when LagRide changed management from Zeno to CIG Motors late in 2024. While CIG Motors was initially seen as a better choice because of its focus on electric cars, the transition hasn’t gone smoothly. Drivers claim that the new app introduced by CIG Motors is poorly designed and not suitable for those operating under LagRide’s drive-to-own plan. Instead, they think it was built for salaried workers under a drive-to-earn model.
LagRide drivers also complain that not enough people are using the app because it’s not well-known in Lagos State. They believe the company should invest in advertising campaigns to boost awareness and demand instead of relying on drivers to market the platform themselves.
In response to these issues, LagRide drivers have made several demands from the company. They want payments to be disbursed within 24 hours instead of waiting a whole week, they want the app to be fixed to eliminate technical glitches, and they want Google Maps integrated into the app for better navigation. Additionally, they’re asking for a two-year exit plan for those under the drive-to-own scheme and statewide marketing efforts to attract more users.
Until these demands are met, many LagRide drivers have stopped using the app altogether. “We’ve stopped using the app,” said Abby, a driver representative. “If they don’t make these changes, no one will use their app.”
Hon Adeniyi Saliu, Executive Director of Lagos Ride, has instructed CIG Motors to address these concerns urgently. He emphasized improving payment timelines and expanding coverage so drivers can operate in more areas across Lagos State and beyond. But it remains to be seen if these changes will happen quickly enough to win back the LagRide drivers who have left.
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