A driver affiliated with LagRide, a ride-sharing app owned by the Lagos State government, named Adebayo Padmore, has passed away in the Lekki area of Lagos. The spokesperson for the union, Jossy Adaraniwon, revealed that the deceased, in his mid-40s, collapsed on the spot while checking his car’s engine oil.
Adaraniwon expressed concern over what he described as the hostile working conditions of ride-hailing companies in Nigeria and mentioned that the victim had worked the night before. The driver had taken some rest in his car on a Lekki street and woke up around 5 am to start work. While preparing for his shift, he collapsed after opening his car bonnet. Colleagues present at the scene quickly poured water on him and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Adaraniwon shared that Padmore was still part of their Zoom meeting on Sunday evening and did not indicate any health concerns. The medical report from the hospital indicated that the cause of death was cardiac arrest, associated with fatigue and accumulated stress.
The spokesperson attributed Padmore’s death to the pressure and challenges associated with the job, including high commission rates, low fares, high daily targets, higher asset repayment, lack of healthcare insurance, and anti-worker policies. The union called for adequate regulation and improved welfare for platform workers, urging Lagos Ride management to provide necessary support and compensation for the deceased’s family.
Padmore was reportedly buried in his hometown in Oyo State on Thursday. The union had previously conducted a nationwide protest in June 2023, withdrawing services to protest against unfavorable working conditions, including the impact of the new fuel pump price and the need for reduced commissions from ride-sharing companies.
