Bolt vs inDrive: Top Nigerian Ride-Hailing Drivers Earn Over ₦1.6M Monthly Amid Industry Strikes

Leading African ride-hailing platform Bolt has revealed that its top 50 drivers in Nigeria averaged ₦9.6 million ($6,300) each in gross earnings during the first half of 2025. This amount, encompassing trip fares and bonuses, is a significant 26% higher than the ₦7.6 million ($4,996) reported by rival platform inDrive for its top 50 drivers over the same six-month period.

The release of these figures highlights the fierce competition in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, a market projected to be worth $380 million by 2028. Every month, these top-tier earnings translate to approximately ₦1.6 million ($1,050) for a Bolt driver and ₦1.2 million ($787) for an inDrive driver.

This lucrative market is fuelled by a confluence of factors, including rapid urbanisation, widespread smartphone adoption, and gaps in public transportation. According to Tech Cabal, Oladimeji Timothy, a spokesperson for inDrive, confirmed the sector’s growth, noting a 39.65% increase in driver payouts compared to the previous year. “As inflation rises and job opportunities remain scarce, platforms like inDrive provide essential livelihoods for thousands across Nigeria,” he stated.

However, these headline-grabbing earnings for a select few stand in stark contrast to growing discontent among the wider driver community. The first half of 2025 has been marked by a surge in strikes, with drivers protesting escalating fuel costs, high commission rates, and what they describe as inadequate platform support. In a significant industrial action in May, app-based drivers in Lagos threatened a mass exodus from Bolt, Uber, and inDrive if their demands for lower commissions and improved working conditions were not addressed.

According to Business Live, the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has publicly accused the ride-hailing giants of employing pricing strategies and fare cuts that deepen drivers’ financial struggles amidst volatile fuel prices and soaring vehicle maintenance costs.

This widespread unrest has not gone unnoticed by regulators. On June 17, the Lagos State House of Assembly summoned major operators—including Bolt, Uber, inDrive, and Rida—to a hearing concerning alleged labour practice violations, mandating a thorough audit of their driver contracts and payment structures.

While awaiting the outcome of this regulatory intervention, drivers are proactively employing their strategies to maximise income. A popular tactic is “multi-homing”, where drivers simultaneously use multiple apps to compare and select the most profitable rides. InDrive’s model, which features lower commissions and a unique fare-negotiation feature, has become particularly attractive to both drivers and riders navigating Nigeria’s challenging economic climate.

To maintain its competitive edge, Bolt, an early market leader with Uber, has countered with a range of incentives. These include fuel subsidies, performance-based rewards, lower commissions for top-performing drivers, and a stricter enforcement against unauthorised offline trips. In a move to compete directly with inDrive’s popular feature, Bolt briefly trialled its fare-negotiation tool. However, the pilot was later discontinued, a decision that disappointed some drivers who valued the increased control it offered.

“Negotiation gives us more control, like we’re finally being heard,” commented one Lagos-based Bolt driver, expressing his regret over the feature’s removal.

The situation illustrates the core challenge for ride-hailing platforms: balancing the need for affordable fares to attract riders with the need for profitability to retain drivers. This delicate balance is being strained by surging fuel and maintenance costs, regulatory uncertainty, and a growing trust deficit, pushing some drivers and riders to arrange trips “offline”, outside the apps’ ecosystems.

As Nigeria’s gig economy continues to evolve, these pressures show no sign of abating. Yet, amid the challenges, a powerful incentive remains: in a nation where less than 1% of the workforce earns over ₦1 million ($656) a month, the potential to earn up to ₦1.6 million ($1,050) on platforms like Bolt ensures a steady stream of drivers willing to navigate the complexities of the ride-hailing world.

ALSO READ:

• Chengdu Launches Tap-to-Pay with Visa and MasterCard Ahead of World Games 2025
• MTN Nigeria Splashes $377M to Power its Competitors for Profit in Major Strategy Shift
• Uber Partners with Baidu’s Apollo Go for International Driverless Ride-Hailing

The revelation that top drivers for Bolt and inDrive in Nigeria are earning over ₦1 million monthly has significant and multifaceted implications for the country’s tourism and travel sector. It signals a potential shift in service quality, safety, and overall tourist experience, while also highlighting the growing importance of the gig economy in supporting the nation’s hospitality infrastructure.

For tourists, the first point of contact with a destination’s culture and efficiency is often local transportation. Well-compensated drivers are more likely to be motivated, professional, and invested in providing excellent customer service.

Higher earnings enable drivers to afford better vehicle maintenance, including regular servicing, new tires, and functional air conditioning. For international and domestic tourists, a clean, comfortable, and reliable vehicle is a crucial component of a positive travel experience.

A driver earning a sustainable and attractive income is more likely to view their work as a long-term profession rather than a temporary gig. This fosters a professional attitude, leading to better-rated trips, safer driving habits, and a more welcoming demeanour towards tourists who may be unfamiliar with the local environment.

Safety is a primary concern for tourists when visiting any new destination. The formal structure of ride-hailing, combined with the financial stability of its drivers, directly addresses this. Platforms like Bolt have noted a significant reduction in “offline trips” when drivers are well compensated through the app. High earnings and bonuses incentivise drivers to use the platform’s official channels, which provide critical safety features for tourists, such as GPS tracking, driver identification, trip history, and in-app emergency assistance.

Tourists are often vulnerable to price gouging by informal transport providers. Ride-hailing apps offer transparent, upfront pricing (or a reliable estimate), which high earnings encourage drivers to honour. This reliability builds trust and makes Nigeria a more attractive and less intimidating destination for independent travellers.

The fact that a significant number of drivers can earn a “millionaire” status (in monthly naira terms) sends a powerful message about the economic opportunities within Nigeria. A thriving ride-hailing sector is a sign of a modernising economy with growing digital literacy and infrastructure. This can positively influence international perceptions, encouraging foreign investment not just in tech but also in ancillary sectors like hospitality and tourism.

While these top earners are a minority, their success creates an aspirational goal that helps attract and retain a large pool of drivers. This ensures that the ride-hailing network remains robust and can handle demand during peak tourist seasons and significant events, preventing service disruptions that could tarnish the country’s reputation.

 

Showcase Nigeria Through Your Lens – Join Our Open Call for Creators

Are you a photographer, videographer, or content creator passionate about capturing Nigeria’s beauty, from fashion runways and cultural festivals to tourist landmarks and local events? Our Open Call for Content Creators in Nigeria is your opportunity to get featured, collaborate, and bring authentic Nigerian stories to life. Whether you’re into travel, lifestyle, or visual storytelling, we want to see Nigeria through your eyes.

Stay on the pulse of Nigeria’s travel-tech revolution—discover updates on mobility apps, tourism innovation, digital guides, and emerging tech shaping travel in the country.

 

FAQs

1. How much are top ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria earning?

According to data from the first half of 2025, the top 50 drivers on Bolt earned an average of ₦9.6 million ($6,300) each, which breaks down to about ₦1.6 million ($1,050) per month. For inDrive, the top 50 drivers earned an average of ₦7.6 million ($4,996) in the same period, or about ₦1.2 million ($787) per month.

2. If some drivers are earning so much, why are there so many protests and strikes?

The high earnings are reported for a tiny group of top performers. The broader community of drivers is protesting issues that affect their net income, such as high platform commissions, the escalating cost of fuel, and expensive vehicle maintenance. They argue that platform pricing strategies do not adequately account for their rising operational costs.

3. Based on the data, which platform pays its top drivers more: Bolt or inDrive?

 Based on the disclosed earnings for the first half of 2025, Bolt’s top drivers earned approximately 26% more than InDrive’s top drivers. The monthly average for a top Bolt driver was ₦1.6 million, compared to ₦1.2 million for a top inDrive driver.

4. What are the authorities doing in response to the driver complaints?

The Lagos State House of Assembly has stepped in due to the widespread driver unrest. On June 17, 2025, it summoned major ride-hailing operators, including Bolt, Uber, and inDrive, for a hearing on alleged labour practice violations. The Assembly has mandated a detailed audit of the companies’ driver contracts and earning structures.

5. What are drivers doing on their own to increase their income?

Drivers are using several strategies to maximise their earnings. The most common is “multi-homing”, which involves running multiple ride-hailing apps at the same time to choose the most profitable ride available at any moment. Some drivers and riders also bypass the apps entirely by arranging “offline” trips to avoid commission fees.