FAAN says no blanket ban on Uber, Bolt at Nigerian Airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that it has not imposed a blanket ban on Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing services at Nigerian airports, saying it is working with operators to establish a framework that balances passenger convenience with airport safety, security and accountability.

In a statement on Thursday, FAAN said its position was not intended to restrict passengers’ transportation choices or undermine the role of e-hailing platforms in providing mobility for air travellers.

The Authority said airports are highly regulated environments and all commercial transport services operating within airport premises must operate under an appropriate framework that gives airport authorities visibility over vehicles, drivers and operations.

It said such oversight was necessary because of the volume of passenger movements at airports and the need to ensure that people providing commercial transportation services are identifiable and accountable, particularly during security or passenger-related incidents.

FAAN also clarified the role of its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), saying the platform is not an e-hailing application and was not developed to compete with Uber, Bolt or other mobility platforms.

According to the Authority, ACHRAMS was designed to provide operational visibility and tracking within airport environments while supporting the management of applicable concession and related airport charges.

FAAN said it had received complaints and observed operational challenges involving commercial transportation around airport premises, including passenger solicitation and touting.

The Authority said these concerns necessitated a clearer framework for managing commercial transport activities without eliminating the role of e-hailing companies.

FAAN said it has therefore been engaging Uber, Bolt and other relevant operators to develop a mutually workable arrangement that recognises the convenience provided by the services while addressing airport-specific requirements.

It said discussions were focused particularly on passenger safety, security, operational visibility, accountability and the management of pick-up activities within airport premises.

The Authority stressed that the current situation should not be interpreted as a prohibition of e-hailing services.

Instead, it said the ongoing engagement was intended to ensure that platforms can continue serving passengers within a framework that meets airport operational and security standards.

FAAN acknowledged that passengers may experience inconvenience while the discussions continue and said it was keen to conclude the process quickly.

The Authority said it remained confident that a mutually acceptable agreement would be reached with affected operators.

The clarification comes as e-hailing services have become an important part of urban mobility, including airport transfers, where passengers increasingly depend on app-based transport for convenience and predictable pricing.

For travellers, the immediate concern is maintaining access to these services while ensuring that airport pick-up operations remain orderly and secure.

FAAN said its overriding consideration was to protect passengers while ensuring that Nigerian airports provide a safe, secure, orderly and seamless travel experience, adding that it would continue working with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers towards that objective.