Is Uber leaving Nigeria indeed? Yes, the company announced in a statement earlier today that it would be winding up its operations in Nigeria.
Uber is a global ride-hailing company which launched in Lagos in 2014. 12 years later it’s abruptly packing and leaving Nigeria. According to the statement, the company’s winding is affective today, 2 September 2026 although it promised its help centre will be available until September 23, 2026, to assist customers with any final account queries.
“We are writing to share some difficult news. After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026.
“Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers.
“Whether it was a morning commute, a ride to see loved ones, or exploring the city, thank you for trusting the platform to connect you to a driver to get you there safely.
“We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
“Thank you for welcoming us into your city,” the company said.
Other multinational companies that left before Uber leaves Nigeria
But Uber is not the only foreign companies leaving Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu administration. Since 2023 so many multinational corporations have either left Nigeria’s shore, scaled back operations or completely stop manufacturing in Nigeria.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria, a pharmaceutical conglomerate stopped direct operations towards end of 2023. In May 2024 Kimberly-Clark, American personal care company closed its $100 million pampers manufacturing facility in Lagos.
Unilever Nigeria, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Sanofi are other foreign companies which either shut down their operations or were forced into uncomfortable business decisions.
A Norwegian energy giant, Equinor, divested it’s entire Nigerian business subsidiary and ran away from Nigeria. Also Bolt Food and Jumia Food, both online platforms stop business in late 2023.
Shoprite, Africa’s largest supermarket retailer, completely shut down its operations in Nigeria in March this year, leaving its over 2,000 Nigerian workers jobless.
Foreign exchange crisis and naira devaluation – both implications of Tinubu’s economic policies – are at the root of the exodus. As the president abruptly removed fuel subsidy in 2023, energy prices soared overnight, putting instant and unbearable strains especially on businesses which rely on transportation and importation for profit.