What is Uber?
Uber is a technologically-driven taxi company which helps customers hail comfortable taxis from anywhere, using just a smartphone application. The customer downloads the Uber app on his/her phone and when a taxi is required, just pushes a button to request one. Using a special algorithm, the app then matches the customer to the nearest pre-verified taxi and provides a fare estimate. The app also automatically charges the customers registered card and the driver also gets paid directly into his bank account weekly, so no cash ever needs to be exchanged. After the ride, the customer receives a fare breakdown by e-mail.

How do I register as an Uber driver in Lagos?
To join Uber, you will need the following:
A 2008 or newer car in very good condition. Following a successful application, Uber will require that you bring the vehicle for inspection before activation on their system.
You will then need to register online as a partner (partners.uber.com.), and then set up 3 sub areas: 1. your bank details 2. yourself as a driver 3. your vehicle.

1. Bank Details
You will also need to update your bank information with: Your name as it appears on the account/Account number/ Swift code of your bank branch. (If you don’t know your swift code, just ask the next time you’re at the branch)

2. Driver Details
Drivers Licence: this can be obtained from the FRSC.
Lagos state drivers institute ID card: this can be obtained from the Lagos State Drivers Institute.
Background check: this is carried out after the driver has been accepted and has completed the training. It costs ₦20,000 but can be paid in 5 instalments of ₦4,000 each. It is a check Uber carries out with the police, which demonstrates that you have no criminal convictions or charges against your name, and is for the safety of passengers.
If the driver is not the vehicle owner, you will also need a contract agreement between the driver and the owner.

3. Vehicle Details
Vehicle Licence
Certificate of roadworthiness (You can get this from the FRSC)
Tint permit if your windows are tinted.
Proof of ownership
Comprehensive Insurance. Uber has partnered with First Bank Insurance, Mansard Insurance, CompareInsurance and Myautogenius.com so these will know exactly what you are talking about. As a rough guide to insurance costs, a search on myautogenius.com for fully comprehensive insurance for a 2008 vehicle costing ₦1.5m returns insurance costs of about ₦60,000 a year with Aiico. This covers you in the event of loss of personal effects, fire, flood, 3rd party damage, accidental damage, theft, towing etc. It is also a good idea to check with your bank to see if they provide comprehensive insurance for vehicles as you might get a good deal through them.

4. Others
Certificate of Incorporation. You are self-employed and not an employee of Uber, so you will need to register a company for this purpose.
You will need to be comfortable using a smart phone with GPS in addition to your local knowledge of Lagos. You can either bring your own smartphone (iPhone 4s or newer/Samsng S3 or newer) or Uber provides you with a Samsung Galaxy S5 mini for a ₦50,000 deposit (or 5 instalments of ₦10,000). Uber will also deduct ₦1500 per week for data on the Etisalat network.

EnterPRO:
very informative .
the only challenge here for investors will be how to get sensible drivers.

mrsage:
Uber is highly overrated in my opinion. You can set up your Cab Service business and get clients regularly without them.

Too many people jumping on the uber platform these days. Very soon they will have more cars than they need.

Again uber cab prices are too low. Good for uber and customers but not good for the car owners /investor. Remember as a car owner you handle repairs and maintenance.

Airport cab guys charge better than uber. (Murtala Muhammed Int'l Airport Lagos to be specific). That means more profit margins.

My humble submission : join the uber platform if you are a novice in transport business. They flood you with customers since you don't know how to get them.

Also join uber if you have a day time job and you take it as a side business.

When you gain experience and you are ready to play in the game called Cab Service. You will ditch them fast.

Warning : N250,000 monthly is not guaranteed. It is more of a marketing slogan.

mrsage:
Uber is highly overrated in my opinion. You can set up your Cab Service business and get clients regularly without them.
Too many people jumping on the uber platform these days. Very soon they will have more cars than they need.
Again uber cab prices are too low. Good for uber and customers but not good for the car owners /investor. Remember as a car owner you handle repairs and maintenance.
Airport cab guys charge better than uber. (Murtala Muhammed Int'l Airport Lagos to be specific). That means more profit margins.
My humble submission : join the uber platform if you are a novice in transport business. They flood you with customers since you don't know how to get them.
Also join uber if you have a day time job and you take it as a side business.
When you gain experience and you are ready to play in the game called Cab Service. You will ditch them fast.
Warning : N250,000 monthly is not guaranteed. It is more of a marketing slogan.

mrsage:
Uber is highly overrated in my opinion. You can set up your Cab Service business and get clients regularly without them.

Too many people jumping on the uber platform these days. Very soon they will have more cars than they need.

Again uber cab prices are too low. Good for uber and customers but not good for the car owners /investor. Remember as a car owner you handle repairs and maintenance.

Airport cab guys charge better than uber. (Murtala Muhammed Int'l Airport Lagos to be specific). That means more profit margins.

My humble submission : join the uber platform if you are a novice in transport business. They flood you with customers since you don't know how to get them.

Also join uber if you have a day time job and you take it as a side business.

When you gain experience and you are ready to play in the game called Cab Service. You will ditch them fast.

Warning : N250,000 monthly is not guaranteed. It is more of a marketing slogan.

TokyoBulls:
I am a partner with Uber Lagos and I can understand the concern with earnings. However, I believe things are not as bad as painted. Uber drivers get more trips than any other drivers I know in Lagos. Most of my drivers do more than 8 trips in a day and some do above 12. Demand dropped significantly in January due to many banks, starting with GTBank, blocking all Uber transactions which made it difficult for people to request. Uber responded by adding cash option and many riders are back on the platform. My least driver did 8 trips yesterday and no driver has done less than 6 trips today (Yes, today is Sunday and Valentine may be contributing to the high demand) but generally February numbers are good, much better than January. Average earnings in December was N172,000! For those who will rather wait, it's absolutely fine but I don't think airport taxis earn anything close to Uber drivers. These guys even struggle to give you N30,000 per week.

naijacutee:


It's reassuring to hear your perspective. When they were new (and had fewer partners), the added fact that all banks enabled payments on the platform made N250,000 a very realistic income.

tobinson:
pls I need you to explain more to this uber,I want to start driving with uber but don't have any idea of what to do and where to go.
@naijacutee and ogunvic41

ogunvic41:
08032800453 phone call preferred to whatsapp

ogunvic41:
08032800453 phone call preferred to whatsapp

TokyoBulls:
I am a partner with Uber Lagos and I can understand the concern with earnings. However, I believe things are not as bad as painted. Uber drivers get more trips than any other drivers I know in Lagos. Most of my drivers do more than 8 trips in a day and some do above 12. Demand dropped significantly in January due to many banks, starting with GTBank, blocking all Uber transactions which made it difficult for people to request. Uber responded by adding cash option and many riders are back on the platform. My least driver did 8 trips yesterday and no driver has done less than 6 trips today (Yes, today is Sunday and Valentine may be contributing to the high demand) but generally February numbers are good, much better than January. Average earnings in December was N172,000! For those who will rather wait, it's absolutely fine but I don't think airport taxis earn anything close to Uber drivers. These guys even struggle to give you N30,000 per week.