Bolt Blocks Nigerian, South African Users Ordering Fake Rides

• Bolt has blocked numerous accounts involved in a prank trend between Nigerians and South Africans, disrupting the ride-hailing service significantly
• The “Request in Nigeria Challenge” led to fake ride orders and cancellations, prompting Bolt to restrict inter-country ride requests for drivers’ protection

Bolt has blocked numerous accounts involved in a prank trend between Nigerians and South Africans that has caused significant disruption to the ride-hailing service. The trend, initiated by South Africans and dubbed the “Request in Nigeria Challenge,” involved customers ordering fake rides and then cancelling them after drivers had accepted, wasting the drivers’ time and fuel.

This online rivalry quickly escalated, with some Nigerians responding by mimicking the behaviour. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), saw users from both countries sharing their experiences and frustrations.

One user, @Iamwhykayy, highlighted the frustration of South Africans ordering rides from Nigeria and cancelling them, describing it as a waste of drivers’ time and resources.

Another user, @Oladapomikky1, claimed that over 40 Bolt and Uber, cars were ordered to a single street in Johannesburg by Nigerians, only for the rides to be cancelled, further intensifying the rivalry.

The incidents have sparked outrage among social media users, with many condemning the actions as digital harassment. Some have interpreted the trend as a reflection of underlying prejudices, with arguments that it represents a “scary kind of obsession” that some South Africans have with Nigerians.

Yahaya Mohammed, Bolt’s Country Manager in Nigeria, addressed the situation, saying, “Bolt is aware of the fake ride request incident between some individuals in Nigeria and South Africa. We understand how this situation has impacted our driver-partners in both countries. We are committed to ensuring all community members a safe, reliable, and secure experience.”

Interestingly, the incident coincided with the arrival of Chidimma Adetshina, a South Africa-based model of Nigerian descent, in Lagos ahead of the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria competition. Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, had withdrawn from the Miss South Africa 2024 competition due to xenophobic backlash over her Nigerian nationality, sparking clashes between Nigerians and South Africans online.

Upon her arrival in Nigeria, Adetshina expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m so thrilled. I was excited throughout the flight and can’t wait to explore more of Nigeria. I look forward to meeting the other contestants. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete. I believe dreams are valid when action is taken, and I feel this is my time to manifest that. This is the first step towards what I want to achieve.”