In the wake of Moove‘s Nigeria exit, the Amalgamated Union of App-based Drivers of Nigeria (AUATON) has hailed the company’s decision to fully transfer ownership of vehicles to drivers, describing it as an “unprecedented act of corporate empathy.”
In a statement signed by its National Spokesperson, Comrade Jossy Adaraniwon, the union said that while corporate exits usually bring hardship, Moove has rewritten the script on corporate responsibility in Africa.
“AUATON explicitly commends the management of Moove and its visionary Nigerian co-founders, Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, for an unprecedented act of corporate empathy. By completely wiping off remaining debts and gifting full ownership of eligible Suzuki vehicles worth ₦35 billion directly to their fleet drivers from October 1, 2026, they have shown what it means to be true ‘sons of the soil’. Instead of leaving our people stranded, these proud Nigerian funders have turned thousands of everyday drivers into immediate, independent asset owners,” the statement reads.
The union went on to wish the company, its founders, and its international teams a brighter and more prosperous future ahead as it concludes its pioneering operations in Nigeria—the very market that birthed its global vision in 2020.
Read also: Moove shuts down in Nigeria, transfers full vehicle ownership worth ₦35 billion to current drivers
The union noted that Nigeria was the testing ground where Moove proved its innovative blueprint, while wishing it well as it continues to grow and expand its revolutionary mobility infrastructure across other continents. The union also expressed hope that the company will carry the resilient spirit of Lagos into every new market it enters.
The union then congratulated its members who have received full ownership of their vehicles, noting it is a result of toiling tirelessly under the company’s umbrella.
“For years, you navigated harsh economic terrains, rising fuel costs, and relentless daily targets. Your patience and hard work have finally converted into lifelong equity. You have officially moved from being lessees to being car owners, and the Union celebrates this monumental win with you,” AUATON’s statement reads.
Moove’s exit a contrast to Uber’s
Moove announced its exit from the Nigerian market on Thursday, October 8, without stating any reason. The exit comes just a month after its major investor and exclusive mobility partner, Uber, shut down operations in Nigeria. In its exit notice, Moove announced that drivers will be granted full ownership of their vehicles while foregoing obligations of up to N35 billion.
According to AUATON, while the Nigerian vehicle financing company’s decency is to be celebrated, the contrasting behaviour of foreign companies exiting the market should also not be ignored.
“Just last month, Uber wrapped up its operations and walked away from Nigeria after 12 highly profitable years. Despite exploiting local labour since 2014, the multi-billion-dollar foreign giant left without a single kobo in compensation, severance, or asset relief for the dedicated Nigerian drivers who built their empire. This serves as a stark reminder of how foreign conglomerates view Nigerian workers as merely extraction tools,” the union said.
The statement also noted that Moove’s patriotic departure proves that local tech leaders understand the heartbeat of the Nigerian people. Consequently, it is calling on all transport workers and everyday commuters to redirect their loyalty to Nigerian-owned, driver-first digital platforms.
“We strongly urge a collective shift towards indigenous solutions like SimpliRide, a homegrown app designed to keep profits within Nigeria while empowering drivers with fairer subscription options rather than predatory commissions. It is time to back the businesses that back us,” the union said.
