On Thursday morning, Nigerians were met with an unexpected trend on social media: reports of South Africans ordering Bolt rides in Nigeria, only to cancel them when the driver arrived at the designated location.
This new development has added fuel to the tensions between the two nations, which have been on edge since Chidimma Adetshina, a South African citizen of Nigerian descent, was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition due to disputes over her nationality.
That incident sparked accusations of xenophobia and discrimination, further straining relations between the two countries.
The latest twist saw South Africa trending on Nigeria’s X (formerly Twitter) platform, not for the usual political or economic issues, but because of this behaviour involving the ride-hailing service Bolt.
Screenshots circulating online show South Africans deliberately placing Bolt orders in Nigeria with the intention of canceling them, causing financial loss and frustration for Nigerian drivers.
https://twitter.com/abazwhyllzz/status/1826511931529740298
https://twitter.com/Iamwhykayy/status/1826527824225738968
This act of digital sabotage comes at a particularly difficult time for Nigerians, who are already dealing with rising fuel prices and high food inflation.
The insensitive nature of this tactic has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning it as a new low in the ongoing rivalry between the two countries, describing it as an act of extreme pettiness and unnecessary hostility.
In response, some Nigerians have begun to retaliate by ordering and then cancelling Bolt rides in South Africa from Nigeria.
Others have taken it a step further, ordering food deliveries only to cancel them once the food arrives at the location.
https://twitter.com/Oladapomikky1/status/1826533274312638870
https://twitter.com/Irunnia_/status/1826599904921485592
https://twitter.com/Mbahdeyforyou/status/1826542093675680024
https://twitter.com/itzbasito/status/1826530822733615273
https://twitter.com/As_E_Dey_H0T/status/1826593908022726790
https://twitter.com/ntuen_david/status/1826590165873385550
https://twitter.com/Jag_ubani/status/1826559587379495404
This tit-for-tat behaviour has been criticised by many, who argue that it only perpetuates unnecessary hostility and targets people who are simply trying to make an honest living in both countries.
