The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that it has not banned Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing services from operating at Nigerian airports, saying its ongoing discussions with the operators are aimed at improving passenger safety, security and the orderly management of airport transport services.
The clarification came amid growing concerns from passengers over restrictions reportedly affecting e-hailing services at some FAAN-managed airports, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The development has also sparked complaints over rising airport taxi fares, with some passengers attributing the spike in transport costs to difficulties in accessing their preferred e-hailing services at the airports.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its management, FAAN said it was not seeking to limit passengers’ transportation choices or undermine the role of e-hailing platforms.
“FAAN wishes to clarify that its position is not, and has never been, directed at limiting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the important role that e-hailing services play in providing convenient mobility to air travellers,” the authority said.
Rather, FAAN explained that its concern was to ensure that commercial transport operators working within airport premises are properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security systems.
According to the authority, airports are highly regulated environments, making it necessary for commercial transport providers to operate under a framework that allows FAAN to identify and monitor vehicles and drivers.
FAAN added that such actions were necessary to ensure that transport providers are “identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.”
FAAN also addressed concerns surrounding the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, a digital platform introduced to modernise airport ground transportation, improve passenger safety and facilitate cashless operations.
The rollout of the platform had generated debate among transport operators and passengers, particularly over vehicle standards, registration requirements and how e-hailing drivers would fit into the new system.
FAAN, however, stressed that ACHRAMS was not designed to replace or compete with established e-hailing platforms.
“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and is not intended to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform,” the authority stated.
It explained that the system was primarily developed to give the airport greater operational visibility and enable the tracking and management of commercial transport activities, including applicable concession and related airport charges.
The authority said complaints from passengers and operational challenges surrounding commercial transportation within and around airport premises had also contributed to the need for clearer rules.
Among the concerns, FAAN identified passenger solicitation and touting as issues requiring stronger control. The authority said it was therefore working towards a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation services within airports.
It added that it had been engaging e-hailing operators in an effort to develop “a mutually workable operational framework” that would preserve the convenience provided by the services while addressing concerns around safety, security, accountability and passenger experience.
“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services,” it said.
FAAN acknowledged that passengers may have experienced inconvenience during the ongoing discussions but said it was working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible.
The authority said the talks with affected operators were focused on passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the management of pick-up activities within airport premises.
“The Authority and the affected operators are currently engaged in constructive discussions towards resolving the outstanding issues,” it stated.
FAAN expressed confidence that an agreement acceptable to all parties would be reached soon, stressing that its priority remained the safety and comfort of travellers.
It reiterated its commitment to working with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to ensure that passengers retain access to safe, convenient and reliable transportation options at Nigerian airports.
The authority said its ultimate goal was to provide a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience without shutting out the convenience that e-hailing services offer travellers.
