Uber’s shutdown in Nigeria on September 2, 2026 has removed a transport and courier tool that many Lagos-based creatives say was central to late-night shoots, equipment dispatch and post-production logistics.
The company told Nigerian users it was ending operations effective immediately after twelve years. The move was part of a wider global restructuring that also included an exit from Uganda, and it closed a run that began in Lagos in 2014 and at one point extended to boat services on the lagoon.
For most users, the change means one less app. For creatives, it removes a service that had become part of how work gets done.
Movement and predictability#
“I think Uber leaving Nigeria is a very big problem, especially for creatives,” one Lagos-based creative said.
That creative described Uber as relatively affordable, convenient and predictable compared with other ride-hailing options, where drivers sometimes cancel, take multiple trips or add stress. The security of being able to book a ride after late-night event filming also mattered, the person said.
The impact was immediate: on the day of the announcement, the creative tried to send items and first thought of “Okay, Uber Courier,” then remembered the service was gone and used a different option that was not smooth.
“So yes, we’ll adapt… creatives always do. But it’s frustrating because transportation is not just a convenience for people like us. It’s part of how we get the work done.”
Safety and courier gaps#
Another creative said they felt safer with Uber, especially at night after events, and had never had a positive late-night experience with the other app. Uber drivers were usually more level-headed, the person said.
“What I’ll particularly miss is their courier service because I used it to send things around quite a lot and also for buying food from Jay’s Diner at night or my plugs who don’t deliver.”
Post-production logistics#
Morse, creative producer (visuals, events, campaigns), said the exit will make post-production more difficult because of the movement involved in returning rented equipment and sending hard drives with event footage.
“Uber leaving is going to make post-production even more hellish.”
“Regular delivery riders are some of the worst service providers in Nigeria, they’ll take your thing and go all around Lagos before delivering it. But Uber had a way of curbing that, and they were better than the other apps at it.”
Before and during shoots or events, quick movement is often needed for tasks such as recce. That usually means keeping several ride-hailing apps open and choosing the cheapest or closest option, which was usually Uber, Morse said.
