“They Were Jealous”: Uber Exits Nigeria Permanently, South Africans Fear They Could Be Next
- Uber announced it would immediately stop all operations in Nigeria, sparking outrage online
- TikToker @thejennio warned the exit would hit hardest during the December festive season when visitors flood the country
- South African viewers watching the video began questioning whether SA could face a similar fate
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Uber's sudden exit from Nigeria sent shockwaves across social media on 2 September 2026, with one Nigerian creator's passionate response going viral and pulling South Africans into the conversation.
Source: UGC
TikToker @thejennio posted a direct-to-camera video reacting to the news, visibly frustrated and holding a microphone as she broke down what the departure means for everyday Nigerians. She said:
"Doing business in Nigeria has become an absolute nightmare."
She pointed to soaring commercial rents in Lagos, unreliable power and water supply, and the broader cost of running any operation in the country. She argued the capital needed to start a business had climbed, making it nearly impossible for new entrepreneurs to enter the market.
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She reminded her viewers that Uber operates across approximately 70 countries and more than 15,000 cities globally, serving over 202 million monthly active users, making Nigeria's loss all the more significant.
Beyond the inconvenience, @thejennio raised serious concerns about safety. She argued that rival apps like Bolt and InDrive lack the tracking and security features that made Uber a trusted option, particularly for women travelling alone. With December approaching and thousands of visitors expected to arrive for the festive season, she warned the gap left by Uber would create real chaos. She said:
"Uber has saved a lot of us. Whether you drive or not, things happen."
She also called out the Nigerian government directly, questioning why officials had allowed another major international company to walk away without intervention, especially one that had supported job creation and kept money moving through the economy. Watch her full reaction below:
Mzansi discusses Uber Nigeria
South Africans in the comments had plenty to say:
@Lee🫡 wrote:
"It's not due to driver safety, it's because of business reasons, they will never leave South Africa. Bolt would have all the market"
@Insaba Cap👮 warned:
"SA could be next because it's no longer safe even for drivers"
@MamakaEsihle said:
"After Nigeria helped Uber to be where it is, sad"
@bongani_ls asked:
"Bathong, why are companies leaving Nigeria?"
@Anitta Nxusa🇿🇦 added:
"I think Uber is jealous of Nigeria 💔"
Other Briefly News stories about Nigeria
- A small group of Nigerians outside the South African High Commission in Abuja called for the protection of Nigerians living in South Africa.
- Mzansi was fascinated by a South African woman who gained attention online after sharing footage of her daily life in Nigeria.
- A young South African woman moved to Nigeria and candidly shared her first-week experiences after relocating to the vibrant country.
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Source: Briefly News
