Uber has taken a significant step towards prioritizing safety in Nigeria by launching emergency in-app support for drivers and riders in partnership with Sety, as well as announcing the upcoming release of Audio Recording in the country.
During an event in Lagos, Tope Akinwumi, the Country Manager for Uber in Nigeria, underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to safety. He stated, “Safety is at the heart of what we do at Uber, and over the years, we have invested heavily in technology and other measures to help keep drivers and riders safe on the platform.”
Uber has collaborated with Sety, a prominent on-trip emergency response service, to empower riders and drivers with the Emergency Assistance feature. Users can access the Safety Toolkit by tapping the shield icon on their app’s map screen, enabling them to receive swift assistance in emergencies. When the “Call Security” button is activated, critical trip details, including GPS location, car make and model, and license plate, are transmitted digitally to private emergency services and security responders, enabling them to respond effectively.
Speaking about the partnership with Uber, Nnamdi Melie, CEO of Sety, expressed pride in leveraging digital technology to enhance safety for all Nigerians. He said, “Our collaboration with Uber underscores our shared commitment to prioritizing and utilizing digital technology to enhance the safety of our customers and partners, thus ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians as a whole.”
Uber’s dedication to safety doesn’t stop there. The company is also preparing to launch the Audio Recording feature in Nigeria, allowing riders and drivers to record and share audio of their trips. This valuable tool serves as evidence in case of safety incidents and has already proven successful in South Africa during a pilot period, where thousands of drivers and riders activated the feature.
By opting in for audio recording, both riders and drivers can log safety incidents along with the recorded data, thereby providing Uber with additional valuable evidence during investigations. Uber believes that this feature will significantly improve the overall quality of evidence collected from safety-related reports, strengthening the accountability and transparency of safety incidents.
Akinwumi emphasized that safety is paramount in all aspects of Uber’s operations. The company is dedicated to becoming a leading safety innovator and continually exploring new technologies to elevate safety standards for everyone using their platform.
With the introduction of emergency on-trip assistance and audio recording, Uber aims to create a safer and more secure environment for riders and drivers alike, setting new standards for safety in the ride-hailing industry.
