Uber, Bolt, others face stricter safety, licensing rules in Lagos

The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to e-hailing companies and operators over rising safety concerns and repeated regulatory violations.

It has ordered immediate vehicle inspections and strict compliance with state transportation laws.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ministry of Transportation headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Commissioner for Transportation, raised concerns about the state of several vehicles used by e-hailing services, The Guardian reports.

“The ministry has observed the deplorable condition of some vehicles operated by drivers under licensed e-hailing platforms. Any vehicle found unsuitable will not be allowed to operate.

“The state government is committed to safeguarding lives and property. We will not tolerate practices that endanger Lagosians,” he said.

Osiyemi said the directive was part of a broader audit to improve service delivery, safety and regulatory oversight in the rapidly growing e-hailing sector.

He also expressed concern over increasing reports of poor service and criminal activities linked to the platforms, warning that operators who fail to comply risk sanctions, including possible licence suspension.

One key issue, he noted, was the lack of reliable databases by some e-hailing firms, which makes tracking and investigating incidents difficult.

Supporting this stance, Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, stressed that vehicles not registered with the Lagos State Government will no longer be allowed to operate.

“We have developed a digital system that requires up-to-date data to regulate the sector. All drivers must be duly registered and certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute,” Musa said, adding that penalties for infractions will be strictly enforced.

The ministry also advised commuters against booking rides offline, warning that such transactions bypass in-app safety features and accountability measures.

In response, representatives from licensed platforms including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie and InDrive announced planned safety upgrades such as enhanced driver verification, panic buttons, licence validation, and stricter onboarding and offboarding procedures.

Osiyemi closed the meeting by urging operators to prioritise customer safety and satisfaction over profits.

“Operators must settle all outstanding licensing documentation and fulfil regulatory obligations without delay,” he said.

The Lagos State Government says the crackdown is intended to ensure safety and compliance in the e-hailing industry while protecting the lives and property of Lagosians.