₦airaland Forum

Bolt Says 25%… But Drivers feel it in their pocket that It’s More Than That

“Bolt takes 25%” is only true on paper.

But let’s look at what actually happens.

---

## Simple example

You work all day and make:
👉 ₦20k ( na example o)

* Fuel → ₦10k
* Bolt (25%) → ₦5k

What’s left?
👉 ₦5k
So at the end of the day:
Bolt takes ₦5k
You take ₦5k

Both of you end up with the same money. If this isn’t 50% percent then I don’t know abc. Abi dem tink D fuel na free. And of course bolt knows this.

---

## Now think about this

The petrol station:

* Did not buy your car
* Did not work with you
* Took no risk

But collected:
👉 ₦10k

That’s double what you take home after working all day. I’ve seen this before where the main person making the system work gets the least, it’s called slavery.

---

## What drivers are dealing with

Before your ₦5k:
You already paid for:

* Fuel
* Your car
* Repairs (tyres, oil, maintenance)
* Car wash, data, airtime
* Your time (10–12 hours on the road)
* Risk (accidents, bad days, breakdowns)

---

# Over time (2 years)

Driver:**
👉 ~₦15m+ in total cost (fuel, car value loss, maintenance, time, risk)

**Bolt (per driver):**
👉 ~₦300k – ₦600k (shared costs like app, staff, marketing). Again, this is a per driver that earns 20k a day breakdown.

---

## The reality

This structure means:

* The driver carries most of the cost
* The platform takes a fixed percentage
* And the margin left for the driver stays very tight

Over time, it becomes difficult for many drivers to:
👉 save
👉 grow
👉 or move forward financially

---

## Final point

If a system consistently leaves the person doing the major work with very little after all costs…

Then it’s fair to ask:
👉 is that system helping drivers progress, or just keeping them stuck and entrenching poverty? ( btw poverty shall not be your portion even though bolt is trying very hard to make it so)

---

## What next?

If you’re a driver and this reflects your reality:

👉 Join the petition
👉 Share this with other drivers
👉 Invite your friends to join

Nothing changes unless drivers speak together.

---

The thing that gets me is that doesn’t bolt feel shame about treating their drivers like this? Or is it all under the umbrella of doing business? They should know that if they continue these predatory acts then the day this petition is complete we shall also be ruthless and treat it as just business.

## Question

If both you and the platform end the day with the same cash…

But you carry the cost, time, and risk…

Is that not 50%, or even more?

Should they not be deducting 25% off the cost of the petrol too?

Shimmaa:
Pls, explain further on how that can help.

I’ve been screaming it for a few days now. Unite all drivers, slowly but surely, even if it takes 2 years. Once we are all United, we can get commissions down to 10% (max of 15% - reason for 15% being that they also provide the payment portal, otherwise it should be 10%. That or 12.5% and a small flat fee in every withdrawal/payout transaction) on both platforms as well as set a fair dynamic price that moves with the market cost of all the tools we use eg fuel, parts, vehicles etc I’ve been thinking we need a minimum of 1000 to start to negotiate change in a serious way. The cost of our assets and labour outweigh the cost of their technology by far, especially considering that a good chunk of their billion dollar valuations is based on our assets which they obviously don’t own. The only real solution is for drivers to unite.

A happy slave is the greatest enemy of freedom! I’ve slaved enough.

Kindly join the petition telegram page with either the link or qr code
https://t. me/+ShNFGAH-Pbw0ZDZk (remove the space between https://t. and me/+ShNFGAH-Pbw0ZDZk

Shimmaa:
If only that's possible, if they monopolize the market, it will be easy for the app to listen to our complaints and review the price upwards. But because of the competition, they can't do that cox they will loose riders.

Let's take it back to when it was only uber, price then was so good, imagine back then when fuel was 185/l, price was higher than now when price is 1350/l.

I think the solution should be a driver monopoly. Where we can speak with one voice.

Shimmaa:
Drivers being much isn't the problem, the problem is with the too many apps we have offering same service. This too many apps is giving riders the chance to jump from 1 app to the other looking for cheap fare and once they see anyone that offers cheap fares, they use that app. Assuming we have just 1 app functioning, they won't have choice looking for cheap fare.

How can a monopoly ever be the answer?

For a long time now. Bolt and Uber dey use our head break coconut wey we no go chop inside.

Does anyone remember when it was possible to make 1 million per month on Uber in Abuja? And EOD was 1.2 m?

Hello fellow Bolt and Uber slaves. May our chains be a little less tight today. And if they are tighter, may we adjust our coping mechanisms accordingly and continue being the good little drivers we have committed to be so master can give us our daily 2k trip from Lekki to Ikorodu. Happy driving.

Na play o. Make we gather abeg. Join the Telegram. Sign the petition.

💭 I just finished driving, and it got me thinking…

We all know when a fare is bad. We see it. We calculate it. Yet… we still drive.

It’s not because we don’t understand — it’s because of reality:
Immediate needs (fuel, bills, feeding)
“Let me at least make something”
Hoping the next trip will be better

But here’s the truth:
one driver rejecting a bad trip changes nothing — another driver will take it.
Even striking doesn’t solve it. Some drivers will still go online.

And let’s be honest — many of us are already trying to cope individually:
“I’ll switch to CNG,”
“I’ll use a smaller engine,”
“I’ll cut my costs somehow.”

But that’s exactly the problem.
That’s the lack of solidarity the system depends on.
We’re all intelligent — this isn’t ignorance.

We’re just trying to solve a collective problem with individual solutions, and it keeps us stuck.

No judgment — I just got off the road myself.

⚠️ And it’s bigger than just fares
When cars break down, we’re left on our own
Major repairs turn drivers into beggars asking other drivers for help
No real performance incentives — just a points system that doesn’t put money in our pockets
Vague “offers of help” on the app — referrals to third-party providers that don’t really solve our problems

📊 What we are pushing for
Dynamic pricing that adjusts with fuel and total operating costs
A system that adapts automatically — so we’re not begging every time fuel prices change
A driver support pool (funded by both drivers and Bolt) for major repairs, accidents, and emergencies
Real incentives that actually improve driver income and stability

Fuel prices will not remain stable. With subsidy gone, shocks will keep happening.
We cannot keep restarting this conversation every time.

🤝 What this is about
We want a system where we are true partners, not just tools.
If we are important, let it show in structure, not words.
These are starting points — we’re open to more ideas from everyone.

🚨 Call to action
This is why we started the petition. Not to fight. Not to down tools.
But to act together in a way that actually works.
Right now, we’re only 12 people. That’s nothing.
I’m not asking you to stop working. I’m not asking for money.
Just acknowledge the system is rigged against us and lend your voice.

👉 Join the Telegram, add your name, and let’s try something different.
It will work — because for once, we’re showing up together, with numbers, data, and one voice.

One voice. One cause. Real power.

Na beg I dey beg o. I no claim anything.

💭 I just finished driving, and it got me thinking…

We all know when a fare is bad. We see it. We calculate it. Yet… we still drive.

It’s not because we don’t understand — it’s because of reality:
Immediate needs (fuel, bills, feeding)
“Let me at least make something”
Hoping the next trip will be better

But here’s the truth:
one driver rejecting a bad trip changes nothing — another driver will take it.
Even striking doesn’t solve it. Some drivers will still go online.

And let’s be honest — many of us are already trying to cope individually:
“I’ll switch to CNG,”
“I’ll use a smaller engine,”
“I’ll cut my costs somehow.”

But that’s exactly the problem.
That’s the lack of solidarity the system depends on.
We’re all intelligent — this isn’t ignorance.

We’re just trying to solve a collective problem with individual solutions, and it keeps us stuck.

No judgment — I just got off the road myself.

⚠️ And it’s bigger than just fares
When cars break down, we’re left on our own
Major repairs turn drivers into beggars asking other drivers for help
No real performance incentives — just a points system that doesn’t put money in our pockets
Vague “offers of help” on the app — referrals to third-party providers that don’t really solve our problems

📊 What we are pushing for
Dynamic pricing that adjusts with fuel and total operating costs
A system that adapts automatically — so we’re not begging every time fuel prices change
A driver support pool (funded by both drivers and Bolt) for major repairs, accidents, and emergencies
Real incentives that actually improve driver income and stability

Fuel prices will not remain stable. With subsidy gone, shocks will keep happening.
We cannot keep restarting this conversation every time.

🤝 What this is about
We want a system where we are true partners, not just tools.
If we are important, let it show in structure, not words.
These are starting points — we’re open to more ideas from everyone.

🚨 Call to action
This is why we started the petition. Not to fight. Not to down tools.
But to act together in a way that actually works.
Right now, we’re only 12 people. That’s nothing.
I’m not asking you to stop working. I’m not asking for money.
Just acknowledge the system is rigged against us and lend your voice.

👉 Join the Telegram, add your name, and let’s try something different.
It will work — because for once, we’re showing up together, with numbers, data, and one voice.

One voice. One cause. Real power.

Na beg I dey beg o. I no claim anything.

Aleem26:
Thanks brada
It was after round one...anyone that lost we used to slap the losers hand so she has been losing and it's my time to slap her hand...so she ran away to our backyard by the uncompleted building and it's usually played at night...so she told me that we've been beating her since so she's tired,and I asked what she'll used to cover up for the slap...before u know I don smooch Mutia ooo

Na Ilorin you for grow up?

Lithiumite:
..your fuel cost shouldn't be more than 20 to 25% of your revenue,anything more than that would but your operations on a strain.......the problem with e hailing is that its a free entry, free exit market.......if one decides to quit others will continue no matter how bad simply because it gives this false sense of security and freedom.

My only advise is if prices don't go up, dump bolt and switch to indrive where you can at least determine your price.

Thanks for this advice. Solid!

One challenge with companies like this is that they cannot independently adjust pricing. In Nigeria, the Country Manager has to escalate requests to the Africa Manager, who then takes it to HQ — and a decision may take a long time, if it happens at all.

Before it sounds like I’m defending them, my corporate experience has given me some insight into how their operations work. With this petition, our goal is to reach out directly to HQ, keeping their Nigerian office informed. This way, we force them to address our concerns and get faster, more effective resolutions.

💭 Imagine if we had one voice.

Even the strongest groups, even the greatest people, can be exploited when scattered. That’s exactly what’s happening to us.

We own the cars, pay for fuel and maintenance, and generate the revenue — yet Bolt/Uber takes 25% commission, overcharges passengers on one side, and underpays us in the other. As it is, scattered, all we have is urgent 2k in our pockets, and even that is slipping away by the day.

If we spoke as one, it would be like a billionaire speaking — unstoppable, respected, impossible to ignore. Our collective value runs into billions, not just from what we generate monthly, but also the cost of the assets we own.

This is why we need to band together. We’re not trying to force their hand — we want to understand their perspective as they should understand ours and use that to create a truly equitable platform.

I’m not here to talk long. I’m looking for 1000 equal partners in this journey to fairness — those willing to stand together, set aside differences, and collect our money back.

There’s nothing wrong with being a driver and being financially secure. We generate the value, we own the assets, and we deserve a platform that reflects that.

💡 You can have excuses — “my engine is 0.8L,” “my car is EV,” or trying to work out individual solutions — but selfishness keeps us slaving forever besides, think about your brotherman that can’t afford it eg, me). This doesn’t require anything except lending your voice.

One voice. One cause. Real power.

Pearl1910:
There are more drivers that don't belong to any group than all the drivers on nairaland and all d WhatsApp groups combined. So even if all d drivers in groups and niaraland comply to strike, there will still be driver on d road that arent aware.
The solution is for the few that can be ralied together to take this grievances to the app companies. Definitely not everybody can fight but let there be a fight even if it's from a few
Your offline trips can't come everyday

100% correct

.

Let me start like this.

Yesterday, I was speaking with a driver, and he said something that stuck:

> “At this point, I’m just working for fuel and Bolt.”

At first, it sounded like one of those normal complaints we all make.
But when you actually sit down and do the math… it’s not even a joke.

---

## Let’s look at a simple breakdown

Petrol is around ₦1,340 per litre now.

From experience:

* 1 litre gives you roughly ₦2,400 – ₦2,600 in trips

Let’s use ₦2,500.

Bolt takes about 25%:

* That’s ₦625

So you’re left with:

* ₦1,875

Remove fuel:

* ₦1,875 – ₦1,340 = **₦535**

---

## Now here’s the part nobody really says out loud

That ₦535 is not profit.

From that, you’re still covering:

* Maintenance
* Depreciation
* Tyres
* Repairs
* Risk (accidents, theft, etc.)

Realistically:

* That’s somewhere between ₦450 – ₦700

So best case → you’re making ₦50–₦100
Worst case → you’re actually losing money

---

## And we’re already seeing the effects

If you’ve been following the ride-hailing threads here, you’ll notice patterns:

* Drivers cancelling more
* People negotiating trips outside the app
* Some drivers quietly parking their cars

I just got back from Abuja and it’s even more obvious there.

---

## So what’s really going on?

It feels like the system is still running on old pricing,
but the reality on ground has changed completely.

Fuel has gone up.
Parts have gone up.
Everything has gone up.

But pricing is still acting like nothing changed.

---

## Honest question

**Is this still profitable for most drivers here?**

Not “manage” or “survive” — actually profitable.

---

## Possible way forward (just thinking out loud)

Instead of the usual complaints or talk of strike, maybe there’s a more structured approach:

* Gather real numbers from drivers
* Put it together properly
* Present it clearly to platforms like Bolt

Things like:

* Pricing that reflects fuel *and* overall costs
* Better structure around insurance/maintenance
* More consistent incentives

---

I’m not saying I have all the answers.

I just think the current situation doesn’t add up anymore.

---

## Let’s hear from you

* What are your daily numbers like?
* Are you actually making profit?
* What are you seeing on ground?

Let’s have an honest conversation.

If there’s enough alignment, we can take it a step further.



@seun
@lalasticlala

#frontpage

Kumuyiii:
How many people are on this threat to even begin with..? I can't count how many whatsapp groups drivers don create, omo make God bless me with cng kit abeg

No be lie but Make we try first, na networking go work am. Abeg no single yourself out of this one o. You can get CNG and still wish for better prices for us. Na win win for you.

Good evening everyone,

Quick follow-up to my earlier post.

Before we go too far, I want to ask a simple question:

**Is this something we, as drivers, actually want to pursue?**

The idea is straightforward:

* Put together a **1,000-driver petition**
* Back it with real data
* Present it directly to leadership at Bolt and beyond

Focused on:

* Pricing that reflects fuel and operating costs
* Better driver protection (insurance/maintenance structure)
* Guaranteed, performance-based monthly incentives

---

## If yes, then next step

I’ve created a Telegram group (QR code attached to this post) where we’ll coordinate:

https://t. me/+ShNFGAH-Pbw0ZDZk (remove the space between t. and me)

* Data gathering
* Petition structure
* Communication

If there’s alignment that this is worth doing, then we move quickly from there.

---

## What I need from you

* Do you think this approach makes sense?
* Are you willing to be part of it?
* Any suggestions on the best way to reach more drivers quickly?

---

If there’s enough buy-in, we proceed properly and build this out.

Thank you.

Pearl1910:
Good one, lets create a WhatsApp or telegram group let's all join . Engagement will b better.

Yessir

capetownboyz:
Just got assaulted on this job on the request of a rider ,I’m hurt and I need to take a revenge on this guys she arranged to hit me ..

Report to the police bro. Don’t take matters into your own hands out of anger. That might end up hurting you.

tojahh:
The merits of CNG on this jobs can never be downplayed. I use a CNG installed Honda Accord 05, 2.4L and it's been 13 months and I can tell you for free (not free) that it's the best thing for me after drinking water.

I can't even remember when last I lament about price or what have you. Again, if you think protest will do the magic with these apps company I will tell you from experience protest has never helped drivers in this hustle. Since 2023 drivers has been calling for these protest but nothing to really show. I think the way forward is to take the agitations to these companies,. Ensure they don't operate while you protest, not the shambolic display of going to Alausa to dance and gyrate.

I like it. Protests don’t seem to solve anything. There is hardly any unity (and I can’t blame us partners). Some of us need to feed, some of us need to remit, some of us are the breadwinners for not just immediate but also extended families. It would be hard to down tools and not work, especially as the nature of what we do is just about as hand to mouth as it gets. We also need to try something different from the idea of doing the same protests every eke market day. We are all mostly educated people here even if we no all go school like me wey finish for primary school, let’s do this the proper way and not like the stereotypical driver.

Latonal1:
The story long but it as key points in it, all I will just say to this e hailing drivers as over 70% graduate in the platform we are well educated let us use our knowledge to counter this bolt and Uber if we don't work for like a week at least they will be fewer vehicles on the road it will affect the company when dey book rides and no car is coming we should stop acting hungry Uber take 25% fee for what exactly to pay staff or what is better Uber should get cars for riders buy fuel do car maintenance and pay the driver 25% of total trip is that not better let fight on the percentage also they needs us more than we need them we have options.

I will just advice use we should try to make cars in good condition and shape to have returning clients for offline job and good pay if like to client book me within a day at least I will safe my car from over work fuel and I make more profit in that, like yesterday a returning clients book me in the morning from ikorodu to ogba round trip and waited for an hour at the location in ogba then we got back to ikorodu around 1pm I charge 45k another client book from ikorodu to lekki 2hrs waiting time in lekki I charged 50k I made enough profit so I have to park my car today and tomorrow but if I see old clients offline trips I will go

Your submission is good. But offline no plenty, besides what if your car doesn’t reach that standard, let’s meet everyone where they are.

Good afternoon everyone,

First, let me apologize — this is a long post, and maybe the English is a bit much in some parts. Please bear with me, I’m just trying to explain this as clearly as possible.

Most of you here don’t know me, and that’s fine. I’m also a driver on the platform like many of you. But beyond that, I’ve actually worked at Glovo, which operates in a very similar way to Bolt and Uber. So I’ve seen this from both sides — how these companies think internally, and what we experience daily on the road.

That’s exactly why I feel we need to approach this differently.

Also, to be transparent — I personally know some of the decision-makers at Bolt in Nigeria, and I can also get the right escalation contacts across Africa/SSA and even globally. So if we do this properly, it won’t just end as noise — it will actually get in front of the right people.

---

## Let’s talk about the real issue — the economics

As of today, petrol is about ₦1,340 per litre.

On average, 1 litre of fuel generates roughly ₦2,400 – ₦2,600 in trip value.

Bolt takes around 25% commission.

So:

* ₦2,500 trip value
* Less ~₦625 commission
* Leaves ~₦1,875

From that ₦1,875:

* Remove ₦1,340 fuel cost

You’re left with roughly **₦535 per litre**

---

## Now let’s break that ₦535 down properly

Even with conservative estimates:

* **Maintenance (daily allocation)** → ₦150 – ₦200
* **Depreciation** → ₦150 – ₦250
* **Tyres, servicing, major repairs** → ₦100 – ₦150
* **Risk (accidents, theft, safety exposure)** → ₦50 – ₦100

### Total cost:

≈ ₦450 – ₦700

---

## Final reality:

You are left with ≈ ₦535

* **Best case:** you make ₦50–₦100
* **Worst case:** you are running at a loss

And this is before your personal income.

So let’s be clear:

**This is not sustainable.**

---

## It’s not just a driver problem — Bolt also loses

I just got back from Abuja yesterday.

What I saw there is already showing the future:

* Many drivers don’t accept trips anymore
* Price negotiation is happening outside the app
* Some drivers have parked their cars completely

What does that mean?

* Longer wait times for passengers
* More cancellations
* Poorer experience overall

As drivers, we are partners in delivering this service. We also want passengers to enjoy a reliable experience.

But right now, pricing is **pitting drivers against passengers**, while Bolt still earns its 25% regardless.

That model will eventually break the system if nothing changes.

---

## There is also a fairness issue

**Parties that carry no direct operational risk should not be earning more than those who:**

* Provide the cars
* Handle maintenance
* Face accidents and safety risks
* And in some cases, lose their lives

At the same time, we also have to be honest about something:

**The system is beginning to rely on the fact that drivers are under pressure to survive.**

Because people need to feed, many will keep driving even when the numbers don’t make sense. And over time, that allows an unsustainable model to continue longer than it should.

But eventually, it catches up — through poorer service, fewer drivers, and a broken experience for everyone.

---

## This is why we need a different approach

This is not about protesting.
This is not about downing tools.

It’s about presenting a clear, structured business case.

---

## What we are pushing for:

### 1. Dynamic Pricing (Primary Ask)

A pricing model that adjusts with fuel costs **and the full operating environment**.

When fuel increases, everything increases:

* Spare parts
* Labour
* Tyres
* Maintenance

Pricing must reflect **real operating costs**, not just fuel alone.

---

### 2. Structured Driver Protection (Insurance & Maintenance)

We need something better than the current weak system of referrals to vague third parties.

We should explore:

* A structured driver fund (like ajo)
* Contributions from both drivers and Bolt
* Coverage for accidents, theft, and major repairs

This should be built into the platform — a real partnership model.

---

### 3. Guaranteed Monthly Performance Incentives

Every driver should have access to a **guaranteed baseline monthly bonus tied to performance**:

* Meet clearly defined targets → earn the bonus
* Miss targets → bonus is removed for that period

This creates:

* Stability for drivers
* Better service consistency
* Stronger platform performance

---

## What we are doing next

We are aiming to gather **at least 1,000 driver signatures** for a structured petition.

Since Nairaland doesn’t allow links, I will be creating a simple Excel sheet where drivers can input:

* Fuel cost
* Total trip value
* Commission
* Net outcome

Access will be shared via QR code.

From there:

* We compile real data
* Build a structured document
* Send it directly to leadership at Bolt and relevant stakeholders globally

Not as noise.
Not as threats.
But as a clear, data-backed case.

---

If you’re interested, share your thoughts and be ready to contribute your numbers when the QR code is shared.

Let’s approach this differently this time — with structure, clarity, and numbers.

Thank you for reading.

kaludestiny10:
All the long distance transport company drivers do warm their buses before embarking on their journey even with new buses as recommended by the company's mechanic.

How do you know the ALL do this?

Lovenorth:
Trump is a dictator but Nigerian leaders are very useless. Back to the topic, An average Whites are not like Africans they do what's right regardless of tribe or religion.

You could not be wronger, because what they lack in tribe, they over compensate for in race.

Mitsurugi:
And then?

Talk dey hungry you?

givedemwotowoto:
This is a rejoinder to a front page story titled: Oba Of Lagos Bans Igbo Appropriation Of Yoruba Culture Event: https://www.nairaland.com/8534867/oba-lagos-bans-igbo-appropriation

The answer to this is “okay, go ahead! Do the event”

flexyrule:
As poor as Senegal is, they have an electric train service that has been running uninterruptedly for over a decade now.

Nigerians need to travel... No need going to US, UK, China and the other overly developed countries... Just visit some African countries first, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa... You'll see that we're still lagging when it comes to infrastructure.

Me too I don't want to travel far. I'd prefer to visit your state.

Abdul05:
See, No governor builds a metro alone because it is a big project.( l mean long term investment) .

it takes a leader with vision to design the master plan and kick start it.

Tinubu laid the foundation, others followed the blueprint, that is why lagos metro exists today.

Why are you waiting your time. You better free the matter, these are pained people you are responding to.

CorrectionFLuid:
So this comment really came from a sane person. Smh

His moniker even suggests that he is smart. Character.

Hello

Frezhkid10:
It doesn’t bro…and can never crash a plane..only that a faint sharp noise will be heard over the intercom

A little imagination would help you here. But it's almost as if I know you.

You employ imagination when you don't need to and stubbornly refuse to do so when it is important to, claiming you already know it all.

Is that faint sharp noise ideal?

You realise that in that second the control tower could be telling the pilot something important and that interference will drown it out don't you?

Plane crashes have been caused in this exact manner.

Hedonisco:
I have never switched off and never will. I simply tuck my phone away in my pocket when the flight is about to take off, recline into my seat, and think about my life for the next hour or so until the plane lands, that's it.

Yet I bet you will be fervently praying to God as your action is causing the plane to crash.

Pretty sure you will forget this cool guy act.