Updated 2 October 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so you need another way to get around. The main alternatives are Bolt (app-calculated prices) and inDrive (you negotiate the fare), plus pre-booked options such as a driver or airport pickup from Travo for trips where reliability matters most. Public buses and shuttles are cheaper but slower. Which is best depends on whether you value speed, price or certainty.
The loss of Uber, reported by Channels TV, Vanguard and Bloomberg, ended a service that had run in Nigeria for 12 years. It did not end ride-hailing: TheCable reports that both Bolt and inDrive are moving to capture the market. This guide compares the realistic alternatives for the traveller who wants a ride that turns up on time, at a price they understand.
The alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | How you pay / how pricing works | Reliability notes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt | App-calculated price from a start fee, distance and time. Last verified cards: Lagos ₦527 start, ₦130/km, ₦23/min, ₦800 minimum (June 2023); Abuja ₦884, ₦152/km, ₦25/min, ₦1,495 minimum (Aug 2024) | Instant, but prices and supply move with demand; driver shutdown planned for October 2026 | Everyday short trips with a quoted price |
| inDrive | Passenger proposes a fare; drivers accept or counter; fee about 10% per TheCable | Seven cities served; depends on a driver accepting your offer | Riders comfortable negotiating, price-sensitive trips |
| Travo driver or airport pickup | Booked in advance; quote shown before you confirm | Planned, not hailed; suits fixed times | Airport runs, meetings, multi-stop days |
| Car hire | Daily or hourly rate agreed with the provider | You or your driver handle the route | Several days of local travel |
| Buses and shuttles | Fixed or published fares; NBS average Lagos within-city bus fare ₦1,741.43 in May 2026 | Slower, fixed routes, less private | Simple routes on a tight budget |
Sources: Techpoint Africa, Leadership, TheCable, Legit.ng, Legit.ng, 30 June 2026. We could not verify newer Bolt rate cards or any inDrive rate card.
1. Bolt
Bolt is the closest substitute for the Uber experience: you enter a destination, see a price and a driver is assigned. Its Nigerian rate cards use a start fee, a per-kilometre charge, a per-minute charge and a minimum fare. The last cards we could verify are from June 2023 for Lagos (Techpoint Africa) and August 2024 for Abuja (Leadership). Newer cards may exist, so treat our figures as a floor, and always read the price in the app before you confirm. When Uber left, TheCable reported that Bolt reaffirmed Nigeria as an important market with operations across multiple cities.
Choose Bolt if you want a firm price on screen, you travel at normal hours and you are happy to wait a few minutes for a car. Think twice if you have a fixed deadline, because supply tightens at peaks and strike days.
2. inDrive
inDrive works the opposite way. Passengers and drivers agree the fare before the trip, and the company says it does not set prices by algorithm (TheCable). Legit.ng lists seven cities: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Ibadan, Owerri and Enugu. Techeconomy reports that inDrive says it charges one of the lowest service fees in Nigeria and welcomes drivers affected by Uber’s exit. For riders, negotiation can mean a lower price, but it takes time, and the driver can decline your offer.
Choose inDrive if you are flexible on time and want to compare offers. Think twice if you are in a hurry or unfamiliar with local prices.
3. A pre-booked driver or airport pickup
The weakness of any hail app is that you cannot be sure a car will accept your trip when you need it. For a flight, a business meeting or an event, a driver booked in advance removes that uncertainty. Travo is an independent booking and logistics platform; you can book a driver for a trip or a day, or request an airport pickup, and see the quote before you confirm. It is not a partner of Bolt or inDrive, and it is not an instant hail service, so allow notice.
Need a ride you can count on?
Book a driver or airport pickup on Travo and see the quote before you confirm. Good for flights, meetings and multi-stop days.
4. Car hire and shuttles
If you will be in Lagos or Abuja for several days, hiring a car with a driver by the day can cost less per trip than many separate rides and gives you one vehicle for the whole schedule. See our guides to car hire in Lagos and luxury shuttle bus rental for groups and events.
5. Public buses and smaller apps
Buses remain the cheapest option: the NBS put the average within-city bus fare in Lagos at ₦1,741.43 in May 2026 (Legit.ng, 30 June 2026). A September 2026 roundup on The Condia also names LagRide, Rida, Shuttlers and SimpliRide as other apps. We have not verified their coverage, fares or fees, so check each in its own app before relying on it for an important trip.
What to watch in the coming weeks
- Driver action. Legit.ng reports that the Lagos council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria plans an October 2026 shutdown of Bolt and inDrive, demanding a 10% commission cap. No exact date was given.
- Supply. Technext reports that Moove now lets its drivers operate on Bolt and inDrive, which may help supply as former Uber drivers move across.
- Prices. We could not verify current Bolt or inDrive rate cards, and drivers have been known to ask for more than the app price on long trips (Nairametrics). Agree the price before you go.
How to choose
- Catching a flight: book a driver or airport pickup, and keep an app as back-up.
- Daily commute: use Bolt or inDrive and compare both before each trip.
- Several stops in one day: book a driver by the day rather than many hails.
- Tight budget, simple route: bus or shuttle.
- Night travel alone: choose a booked or app-tracked ride, check the plate and share your trip.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced Uber in Nigeria?
Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026. Bolt and inDrive are the main ride-hailing apps still running, and Travo offers pre-booked drivers and airport pickups.
Is Bolt cheaper than inDrive?
It depends on the trip. Bolt shows a calculated price, while inDrive prices are negotiated. Compare both before you ride.
Which Uber alternative is most reliable?
No hail app can guarantee a car at a given minute. For a fixed time, a driver booked in advance is the most predictable option; for routine trips, keep both Bolt and inDrive installed.
Where does inDrive operate?
Legit.ng lists Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Ibadan, Owerri and Enugu.
Is there an Uber Black alternative?
For a premium or chauffeur-style ride, book a private driver in advance. Check the vehicle type and quote when you book.
Will drivers go on strike?
A shutdown by Bolt and inDrive drivers in Lagos has been announced for October 2026 by the drivers’ union, with no exact date. Keep a back-up plan for important trips.
Are Bolt and inDrive affiliated with Travo?
No. Travo is an independent booking and logistics platform and is not a partner of Bolt, inDrive or any ride-hailing company.
Related guides
- Book a car or driver on demand
- Join a Bolt fleet in Nigeria
- Book a car service before you arrive
- Private driver in Lagos
- Car hire in Lagos
- Luxury shuttle bus rental
Sources: Channels TV (2 Sep 2026), Vanguard and Bloomberg on Uber’s exit; Techpoint Africa (2 Jun 2023) and Techloy (5 Jun 2023) on Bolt Lagos rates; Leadership (30 Aug 2024) and Nairametrics (4 Sep 2024) on Bolt Abuja rates; TheCable and Legit.ng (Sep 2026) on inDrive and driver action. The Condia (11 Sep 2026) for the smaller apps named; its figures are unsourced and not used. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
