Several Lagos e-hailing drivers have rejected a proposal to join Cabzero, a newly launched e-mobility company, citing what they describe as exploitative terms that violate labour standards.

According to drivers who attended a meeting with company representatives, Cabzero is requiring drivers to remit ₦80,000 daily — amounting to ₦560,000 weekly and approximately ₦2.24 million monthly. Drivers noted that this burden is compounded by the platform's limited customer base, as it is still in its early stages of operation.

In terms of compensation, the drivers said they were offered a daily wage of ₦5,000, which translates to roughly ₦150,000 per month. This sits above Nigeria's revised national minimum wage of ₦70,000, though e-hailing drivers in Lagos typically earn significantly more through established platforms — often between ₦250,000 and ₦400,000 monthly before fuel and maintenance costs. In a sector where drivers have been actively campaigning for higher earnings — including multiple strikes organised under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) — this figure was widely considered unacceptable, particularly given the number of working hours expected.

Since Cabzero operates electric vehicles, the company stated it would cover charging and maintenance costs. However, drivers reported that the company is mandating 18-hour workdays. An 18-hour shift leaves only six hours for rest daily, a schedule that contradicts global labour standards, which typically range from 8 to 12 working hours. The demand is especially concerning given that inadequate rest is a leading cause of accidents in e-hailing. Some platforms have begun implementing features that automatically log drivers out after 12 consecutive hours on the road. Nigeria's Labour Act also sets limits on daily working hours, and the country is a signatory to International Labour Organization conventions on working time.

Drivers also claimed that Cabzero requires them to discontinue using rival platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and inDrive. To enforce exclusivity, the company reportedly demands that drivers hand over control of their existing Uber, Bolt, and inDrive accounts. This demand comes amid a broader regulatory conversation in Nigeria about platform worker protections, with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission having previously investigated exclusivity clauses and commission structures across the ride-hailing sector.

"Our take is that ₦5,000 for 18 hours of work after an ₦80,000 remittance is exploitation. Even with free charging, this is not sustainable and violates fair labour standards. We are calling on AUATON to intervene as soon as possible. Drivers, beware. Do not sign anything yet," the drivers stated.

Cabzero was launched in April 2025 under Qoray Mobility and Energies by Olabanjo Alimi, alongside co-founders Akinkunmi Akingbogun and Ayo Falola. The company positions itself as Nigeria's first all-electric fleet solution, offering eco-friendly electric vehicle (EV) leasing, staff commute plans, and scheduled rides primarily based in Lagos, with the goal of helping businesses reduce carbon emissions and transport costs. EV adoption in Nigeria remains nascent, with limited public charging infrastructure outside a few urban centres — a constraint that makes fleet operators' coverage of charging costs a significant operational variable.

The company says that rising operational costs in Nigeria have made managing corporate carpools increasingly complex, pushing businesses to outsource transportation needs to ride-hailing companies that often provide limited control and inconsistent service quality. Cabzero was created to address gaps in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability within corporate mobility.

The platform currently offers three services: an electric vehicle leasing service tailored to specific mobility plans, a staff commute service that optimises employee transport solutions, and an on-demand ride-hailing service providing affordable, electric-powered rides. The drivers in question would fall under the on-demand ride-hailing category. How the dispute between driver expectations and a new entrant's cost structure is resolved may signal whether Nigeria's emerging EV ride-hailing segment can attract and retain the driver base it needs to scale.