The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has begun examining Uber’s exit from Nigeria, particularly whether the ride-hailing company left behind unfulfilled services and obligations to customers.

Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Tunji Bello, disclosed this in a text message to Bloomberg, which reported on Sunday that the regulator was examining the manner of Uber’s departure from the Nigerian market.

FCCPC officials “are looking into the manner of their exit, particularly in respect of unfulfilled services to the customers,” Bello said.

The development comes four days after Uber announced that it would wind down its operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective September 2, 2026.

The decision brought an end to Uber’s operations in Nigeria, where it launched in Lagos in 2014, and reportedly caught some riders and drivers off guard.

Uber did not give a specific reason for its exit from Nigeria in its notice to drivers, saying only that it had made the “tough decision” to wind down its operations.

“We have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective September 2, 2026.

“From this date, you will no longer be able to receive rider trip requests through the Uber app,” the company said.

Uber said its Help Centre would remain available to assist drivers with questions about the development until September 24, 2026.

The exit followed growing competition in Nigeria’s ride-hailing market, including from Bolt and InDrive, as well as economic pressures affecting consumers and the cost of operating mobility services.

The development also followed a recent disagreement between Uber and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria over the regulation of e-hailing operations at airports.

FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, said the authority had no role in Uber’s decision to leave Nigeria, adding that its interventions were driven by passenger safety, accountability and concerns over touting at airports.

Kuku said FAAN had been seeking liability provisions from e-hailing companies over the conduct and safety of drivers operating on their platforms.

One of the issues we were struggling with the e-hailing companies over was largely around liability clauses.

“But we also wanted them to take responsibility for the drivers. However, we were told that those drivers are not Uber’s drivers; rather, they are independent drivers.

“So, with regard to any safety concerns we raised, they wanted passengers to use the safety features available on their platforms. They did not want to take on that responsibility, and we had a major issue with that,” she said.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has commenced fresh efforts to revive legitimate cross-border trade along the Kamba–Tungan Gyado corridor through stronger cooperation with the Nigerien Customs administration.

The initiative followed a meeting between the Kebbi Area Command and a delegation from Nigerien Customs on Thursday, where both sides examined emerging challenges affecting trade and explored measures to improve commercial activities along the border.

The engagement focused on strengthening bilateral customs cooperation, enhancing revenue generation and easing the economic difficulties confronting communities on both sides of the Nigeria-Niger border.

The Customs Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi Area Command, Mustapha Mubarak, disclosed this in a statement.

He said the meeting was attended by the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Kebbi Area Command, Mahmoud Ibrahim; Comptroller, Douanes du Dosso, Niger Republic, Abdoulaye Vincent; and other key stakeholders.

During the engagement, Vincent commended the Kebbi Area Command for hosting the Nigerien delegation and called for stronger collaboration between the customs administrations of Nigeria and Niger.

He particularly stressed the need to promote legitimate trade through the Kamba corridor, which he described as increasingly important amid disruptions along traditional regional trade routes.

According to him, insecurity along routes through Burkina Faso and Togo, combined with the prevailing diplomatic situation involving the Benin Republic, has significantly affected cross-border commerce and economic activities across the region.

He said the circumstances had increased the importance of the Kamba corridor as an alternative route for legitimate trade between Nigeria and Niger.

Vincent appealed for greater support for legitimate exports through Kamba, noting that increased commercial activities would not only boost government revenue but also help cushion the economic difficulties being experienced by border communities.

Responding, the Kebbi Area Controller, Mahmoud Ibrahim, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to deepening its relationship with the Nigerien Customs administration.

Ibrahim said the command would continue to facilitate legitimate cross-border trade while ensuring that traders and other stakeholders understood and complied with established customs procedures.

He pledged to intensify sensitisation programmes for traders and relevant stakeholders, particularly on customs requirements, while encouraging greater use of the Kamba corridor for legitimate commercial activities.

The CAC noted that increased trade through the corridor would have wider economic benefits, including improved revenue generation, employment creation and enhanced livelihoods for residents of border communities.

He said the command would continue working with relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment where legitimate businesses could thrive.

As part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Ibrahim announced plans to visit the Nigerien Customs Command in Dosso, Niger Republic.

He said the proposed visit would provide an opportunity for both customs administrations to hold further discussions on practical measures for facilitating legitimate trade and addressing challenges confronting businesses operating along the border corridor.

The planned engagement is expected to further strengthen coordination between the two customs administrations and improve the movement of legitimate goods between Nigeria and Niger.

The initiative also received support from traditional and trade stakeholders in Kamba.

The Sarkin Shikon Kamba, Mamuda Zarumai, expressed appreciation to the Customs Area Controller for creating a conducive environment for legitimate business activities in the community.

Zarumai commended Ibrahim for demonstrating concern for the welfare and economic prosperity of residents of Kamba and prayed for the success of the partnership between the Nigerian and Nigerien Customs administrations.

Other stakeholders at the engagement included the Chairman, Dendi Ganda; Sarkin Shikon Kamba, Mamuda Zarumai; and Secretary-General, SNAT Gaya, Abubakar Inusa, among others.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has unveiled the Insurance Sector Strengthening Programme (ISSP), to advance insurance penetration, financial inclusion and innovation within Nigeria’s insurance ecosystem.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Omosehin, during the unveiling on Thursday in Abuja, said the programme offered a framework for advancing the growth and stability of the Nigerian insurance sector.

Omosehin said the programme also focused on capacity building, gender inclusion, youth engagement, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and value-chain development.

He said the ISSP placed significant emphasis on awareness and education, adding that the insurance market was directly linked to public understanding and trust.

He said no insurance market could flourish where consumers do not appreciate insurance as a practical tool for financial protection and risk management.

According to him, the programme’s emphasis on capacity building and the future competitiveness of the country’s industry depends on the quality of its human capital.

He said as technology evolved and customer expectations changed, insurance professionals must continue to develop the skills and competencies required for excellent service delivery.

“The proposed training and professional development initiatives will strengthen technical expertise, improve professionalism, and enhance performance across the insurance value chain.

“No sector can achieve sustainable growth when large segments of society remain sidelined or underrepresented.

“Women are a significant economic force in Nigeria, while young people represent the future of our nation and our industry.

“Bringing these two groups into the mainstream of insurance through tailored products and innovative engagement will enhance the sector’s relevance.

“The programme further acknowledges the central role of micro, small and medium enterprises in national economic development,” he said.

He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, insurers and development partners to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Sen. Mukhail Abiru, said the programme was critical in Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Abiru who was represented by the Senior Legislative Aide, Victor Inedu, said a strong and resilient insurance industry was essential to protecting lives and assets, supporting businesses and encouraging investment.

He said that Nigeria’s insurance market remained significantly underdeveloped with millions of individuals and businesses still uninsured or underinsured.

The senator commended NAICOM’s recapitalisation exercise and other reforms aimed at creating stronger, better-capitalised and globally competitive insurance institutions.

He said legislation alone would not transform the sector, adding that effective implementation, stronger governance, consumer protection, innovation and public trust were equally necessary.

He urged stakeholders to move insurance “from the margins to the mainstream” of Nigeria’s economic development.

Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, Chairman, Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA), represented by Director-General, NIA, Bola Odukale, said ISSP aimed to increase insurance penetration from about five per cent to 10 per cent of GDP by 2030.

She described the target as ambitious but achievable through sustained collaboration, innovation and institutional commitment.

She said increasing insurance penetration should not be viewed merely as an effort to grow premium income but as a means of expanding financial protection.

The D-G pledged to mobilise NIA members and provide data, expertise and support for initiatives aimed at improving innovation, consumer confidence and access to affordable insurance products.

In his keynote, Dr. Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, said the industry would continue to underperform if it relied heavily on compulsory insurance and legislation to drive growth.

Adeshina said Nigeria’s youthful population represented a huge market opportunity for insurers, but warned that products that did not reflect the aspirations and realities of young Nigerians would struggle to gain acceptance.

He urged insurers to follow the money by understanding where Nigerians spend their resources and by developing products that give consumers a compelling reason to spend their money on insurance.

Funmike Sojinuga, Trade Commissioner for Global Affairs Canada in Nigeria, expressed interest in deepening cooperation with Nigeria’s insurance sector.

She said a strong insurance industry was critical to investment, economic stability and development.

According to her, investors do not only follow opportunities but also should have confidence in regulation, governance and the ability to manage risks effectively.

She said a stronger insurance sector could support infrastructure development, renewable energy projects, businesses and livelihoods while helping Nigeria mobilise long-term capital.

Sojinuja noted that the growing Nigeria-Canada relationship provided opportunities for greater cooperation in insurance, regulatory development and innovation.

The Canadian representative said discussions were already underway with stakeholders in Canada’s insurance sector to provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

She said the ultimate impact of a stronger insurance sector would extend beyond increased premiums, adding that it help attract investment, strengthen industries and promote shared prosperity. (NAN)