Update, 2 October 2026: Uber has left Nigeria
Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so the Uber app no longer takes rides, deliveries or new drivers here. The Uber details below are kept for reference only. Bolt and inDrive still operate, or you can book a vetted driver on Travo. Compare options in our guide to Uber alternatives in Nigeria. Drivers who used Uber can usually move to Bolt or inDrive; see what to do with a car financed for Uber.
Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
Uber shut down in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so a hire purchase car in Lagos is now used on other ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and inDrive. Hire purchase (“drive to own”) means you get the car with little or no deposit, pay a fixed weekly amount from your earnings, and own it at the end of the term. Terms from large financiers have run from 18 to 48 months. Always read the contract, check the car and its insurance, and work out the total you will pay before signing.
Important update: Uber has left Nigeria
Many people still search for “hire purchase cars for Uber in Lagos”, but the situation changed in September 2026. Uber announced that it was shutting down operations in Nigeria and Uganda with effect from 2 September 2026, and said rider support would remain open for 21 days to help with the transition. Moove, which financed a large part of the local Uber fleet on drive-to-own terms, told its Nigerian customers within hours that they were now free to work on Bolt and inDrive. Techpoint Africa has also reported that Uber began paying some Nigerian drivers ₦40,000 each after the exit, but that only some qualified.
What this means for you:
- If you are looking for a hire purchase car today, you are really looking for a car to use on Bolt, inDrive or another licensed e-hailing app, or for private and logistics work.
- If you already have a hire purchase car that was tied to Uber, contact your financier in writing to confirm which apps you may now use and whether your weekly payment or term has changed.
- Be wary of anyone still advertising “Uber-ready” cars as if nothing has changed.
How car hire purchase works in Lagos
Hire purchase lets you use a car to earn money while you pay for it in instalments. Until the last payment, the financier or car owner usually remains the legal owner.
- Apply: you fill in an application and the provider checks your identity, driving record and ability to pay.
- Pay any initial sum: some schemes ask for a deposit or start payment; others advertise zero deposit.
- Collect the car: the car may be fitted with a tracker and must be insured.
- Remit weekly: you pay a fixed weekly amount, often linked to your ride-hailing earnings.
- Own the car: once every instalment is paid, ownership documents are transferred to you.
What hire purchase deals look like in 2026
There is no single price list for hire purchase cars in Lagos. Weekly payments depend on the car, its age, the term and the provider’s risk checks. The table below shows terms that have been published or reported by named sources. Use it to understand the structure, then compare with the written quote you receive.
| Provider or report | Published terms | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Moove (as described by Ecofin Agency) | Finances up to 95% of a vehicle; 24- to 48-month terms; repayments linked to weekly platform revenue. Drivers told they may now use Bolt and inDrive. | September 2026 |
| Moove (as reported by Techpoint Africa) | ₦56,400 per week for a Suzuki S-Presso, excluding the platform’s commission; an increase was being planned at the time. | September 2024 |
| Moove (as reported by Techpoint Africa) | Zero down payment; 18- to 48-month terms; some cars repossessed after defaults. | June 2023 |
| Pukena Technologies | Start payment from ₦150,000; pre-owned cars under six years old and under 70,000 miles; first weekly payment due 7 days after collection; proof of income required; 3-day return policy. | Website, accessed September 2026 |
Sources: Ecofin Agency (3 Sep 2026), Techpoint Africa (Sep 2024 and Jun 2023), pukena.ng. Terms change; Travo is not affiliated with any of these providers.
Work out the real cost
Weekly figures look small until you multiply them out. For example, the ₦56,400 weekly payment reported in 2024 comes to ₦2,932,800 over 52 weeks, before fuel, maintenance and the ride-hailing app’s commission. Before you sign, calculate:
- Total repayment: weekly amount × number of weeks, plus any deposit and fees.
- Your costs: fuel, servicing, tyres, the app’s commission and any Lagos State permits your platform requires.
- What is left: your realistic weekly fares minus the two lines above. If this is thin, one bad week can put you in default.
Documents to have ready
Each provider sets its own list, so ask for it in writing. Be ready to show:
- A valid Nigerian driver’s licence and a government ID with your NIN
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill
- Proof of income or bank statements (Pukena, for example, asks for proof of income)
- Guarantor details, if the provider asks for them
- Your ride-hailing app profile or driving history, if you already drive
For the car itself, make sure the insurance is genuine. You can check it on the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database; see our guide to checking a car insurance policy on NIID.
Contract checklist: what to ask before you sign
- Total price and term: what is the full amount you will have paid on the last day?
- Which apps can you use? Get written confirmation that Bolt, inDrive or private work is allowed, especially now Uber has gone.
- Missed payments: how many days’ grace, what penalties, and when can the car be repossessed?
- Maintenance and repairs: who pays, and must you use a particular workshop?
- Accidents and theft: is the car comprehensively insured, and who pays the excess?
- Early payoff: can you clear the balance early, and at what discount?
- Handover of papers: which documents do you receive at the end, and how quickly?
Red flags to avoid
- Requests for a large “booking fee” before you have seen the car or a contract.
- No physical office or registered company name you can check.
- Pressure to sign the same day, or a contract you are not allowed to take away and read.
- Insurance certificates that do not verify on NIID.
- Promises of guaranteed weekly earnings.
Alternatives to hire purchase
- Weekly rental: you pay to use a car but never own it. Lower commitment, but no asset at the end.
- Joining a fleet: drive a fleet owner’s car on a revenue-share basis. See our guide to joining a Bolt fleet in Nigeria.
- Driving work without owning a car: professional drivers are also hired for private and corporate clients. Read about private driver work in Lagos.
- If you are the car owner: Travo’s vehicle investment programme lets owners have a vehicle managed and put to work. Income is not guaranteed.
Need a driver or a car with driver in Lagos?
Book a vetted driver on Travo for errands, business trips or interstate travel, or message our team on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a hire purchase car for Uber in Lagos?
No. Uber shut down in Nigeria on 2 September 2026. Hire purchase cars are now used on other apps such as Bolt and inDrive, or for private work.
I have a Moove car that was on Uber. What now?
According to Ecofin Agency, Moove told its Nigerian customers they were free to work on Bolt and inDrive. Confirm your new arrangements with Moove in writing, including your weekly payment.
How much is the weekly payment on a hire purchase car in Lagos?
It depends on the car, term and provider. The most recent figure published by a named source was ₦56,400 a week for a Suzuki S-Presso in September 2024, before a planned increase. Get a written quote and calculate the total cost.
How long does it take to own the car?
Published terms from large financiers have ranged from 18 to 48 months. Shorter terms mean higher weekly payments.
Do I need a deposit?
Not always. Moove was reported to offer zero down payment in 2023, while Pukena advertises a start payment from ₦150,000. Check what the deposit covers and whether it is refundable.
Where can I find a hire purchase car contact number?
Use the contact details on the provider’s official website and visit its office before paying anything. Avoid numbers posted in social media comments. Travo does not sell cars on hire purchase, but you can reach us on +234 916 335 2137 for driver bookings.
What happens if I miss a payment?
That depends on your contract. Penalties and repossession after defaults have been reported in the Lagos market, so read the default clause carefully before signing.
Related guides
- Join a Bolt fleet in Nigeria
- Car hire service in Lagos
- Car service costs in Nigeria
- Car tax calculator: vehicle tax in Nigeria
- Ask NIID: check your car insurance
Sources: Techpoint Africa, Uber exits Nigeria and Uganda (2 Sep 2026); Ecofin Agency (3 Sep 2026); Techpoint Africa (Sep 2024; Jun 2023); pukena.ng. Travo is a booking and logistics platform and is not a partner of Uber, Bolt, inDrive or any car financier. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
