Uber Leaves Nigeria, But Lagosians Still Can’t Escape Traffic

Lagosians are used to hearing one phrase almost every day: “Traffic is bad.” Whether you are heading to work, school, the airport or an event, getting from one part of Lagos to another can feel like a full-time job.

Now, the conversation around transportation in the city has taken a new turn following Uber’s decision to leave Nigeria after 12 years of operations. Uber, which launched in Lagos in 2014, officially wound down its Nigerian operations on September 2, 2026.

But while Uber’s departure is making headlines, many Lagos residents may be asking a bigger question: How easy is it to move around Lagos in the first place?

The answer, for many commuters, is not very encouraging.

Lagos continues to battle heavy traffic, popularly known as go-slow. A 2026 traffic report ranked Lagos as Africa’s most congested city, with commuters spending an average of about 68 minutes on a one-way journey.

For workers who travel long distances every day, that means hours can disappear before they even get to the office.

Then there is the issue of cost. Transportation has become increasingly expensive, putting more pressure on residents already dealing with the high cost of living. Earlier this year, the Lagos State Government approved a 13% increase in fares across BRT and standard Bus Reform Initiative routes, citing economic and operational pressures.

Ride-hailing services were supposed to offer Lagosians another convenient way to move around. For many people, ordering a ride meant avoiding the stress of standing at a bus stop, negotiating with drivers or squeezing into overcrowded buses.

However, rising fuel costs, inflation and other economic challenges have also made ride-hailing more expensive for both drivers and passengers. These pressures were part of the difficult environment facing operators in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive market.

Uber’s exit does not mean Lagos’ transport problems began today. But it has certainly reopened an important conversation.

With traffic getting worse, fares rising and millions of people moving around the city every day, Lagosians need transportation that is affordable, reliable and convenient.

Because in Lagos, the real question may no longer be “Where are you going?”

It may simply be: “How will you get there?”