Uber Nigeria has launched two important features on its app that will help users feel less frightened whenever they’re on a ride to their destinations. The ride-hailing service made the announcements today at an event held in Lagos on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. Innovation Village was present as a media partner.
The highlight of the event was the introduction of the emergency button feature on the Uber app, aimed at enhancing user safety. Mr. Tope Akinwumi, the Country Manager for Uber in Nigeria, presented the two emergency features and provided detailed explanations of their functionality.
The recently launched emergency button on the Uber app in Nigeria is designed to help users at any time if they experience any incidents during their rides. The feature is already available on the app and was demonstrated during the event.
Once you click a blue safety shield icon and then tap on “Emergency Assistance,” marked with a red alarm, a call is placed to an agent to provide you with any emergency service. According to Mr. Akinwunmi, it takes “within one to five seconds” before an agent answers the emergency call. Please note that He or she will ask some questions for further details to understand what the incident is about.
In addition to the emergency button, Uber is also introducing an audio-recording feature to reduce incidents during trips. He acknowledged that Uber personnel cannot be present on every ride, underscoring the significance of the new audio recording feature. Both riders and drivers will have access to this feature, which allows them to record a trip and report any issues to Uber for appropriate action. Recorded trips remain on the user’s Uber account for 15 days unless a report is made for a serious incident, in which case necessary measures will be taken.
Uber’s new initiative is powered by Sety, a startup specialising in on-demand safety technology and emergency response data platforms. Sety serves as a “digital security guard” that users can call for assistance in emergencies. Nnamdi Melie, Founder and CEO of Sety Company, who was present with his team at the event, explained that the app provides real-time accurate location data from the point of an emergency request to a dispatch agent.
Mr. Lanre Mojola, Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, was also present at the event and expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between Uber and Sety. He highlighted the importance of ensuring safety in Nigerian communities, particularly for Lagosians who rely on transportation to commute daily. Mr. Mojola commended Uber and Sety for introducing safety features into the app, emphasising that safety is a collective responsibility and a culture that all individuals should embrace for progress in Lagos.
The partnership between Uber and Sety comes at a crucial time when safety during rides is of utmost importance. Additionally, unforeseen incidents may occur, necessitating the use of the emergency button by either the rider or driver. The event showcased the commitment of Uber and its technical partner, Sety, to prioritise the safety and well-being of Uber users in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.
