The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has given four key reasons for its position on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt at Nigerian airports.
The Authority said its actions are not intended to restrict passengers from using ride-hailing platforms. Instead, Management said the measures are designed to protect passengers while ensuring safe and orderly airport operations.
FAAN issued the clarification amid growing public discussions over the operations of Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers at some airports. The Authority said it recognises the convenience these platforms provide to air travellers and remains committed to preserving transportation choices.
However, Management said commercial transportation services operating within airport premises must comply with an operational framework. The framework, it explained, must provide adequate visibility, accountability and coordination within the airport environment.
Ride-hailing rules centre on four key concerns
According to FAAN Management, the first concern is passenger safety and security. Airports are highly regulated environments, with large numbers of passengers, staff, vehicles and service providers moving through restricted spaces.
The Authority therefore wants transportation providers operating within airport premises to be identifiable and properly integrated into its operational and security systems. FAAN said this becomes particularly important when a passenger or security-related incident occurs.
The second concern is operational visibility. FAAN said it needs adequate information about commercial transportation activities taking place within airport premises.
This includes visibility over vehicles and drivers providing services to passengers. According to the Authority, such visibility would enable better coordination and allow airport officials to respond more effectively when operational or security issues arise.
The third concern is accountability. FAAN said persons providing transportation services within the airport environment must be identifiable and accountable.
Management said this requirement is particularly important because airport transportation involves direct interaction with passengers. Therefore, the Authority wants operators to function within a framework that clearly establishes responsibility for activities taking place within airport premises.
The fourth concern involves the management of pick-up activities, passenger solicitation and touting. FAAN said it has received complaints and observed operational challenges connected with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises.
According to Management, these issues make it necessary to establish a clear framework for managing commercial transportation at airports. The objective, it said, is to minimise disorder while ensuring passengers can access convenient transportation.
FAAN says ACHRAMS is not competing with Uber, Bolt
FAAN also sought to correct what it described as a misconception about its ACHRAMS platform.
Management said ACHRAMS is not a ride-hailing application and was not developed to compete with Uber, Bolt or other mobility platforms.
Instead, FAAN said the platform was primarily developed to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment. It also facilitates the management of applicable concession and related airport charges.
The clarification is significant because some public discussions have portrayed ACHRAMS as an alternative transportation platform. FAAN rejected that interpretation, saying the system serves an airport management function rather than replicating the services of established ride-hailing companies.
No blanket ban on Uber, Bolt, says FAAN
FAAN Management also rejected suggestions that it has imposed a blanket prohibition on ride-hailing services at Nigerian airports.
Rather, the Authority said it is engaged with relevant operators to develop a mutually workable operational framework. That framework, it said, would recognise the value of Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers while addressing the requirements of the airport environment.
“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services,” Management said.
The Authority described the situation as an ongoing process of operational alignment. It said the goal is to ensure that ride-hailing services can continue serving passengers under conditions that meet airport safety, security and operational requirements.
FAAN also acknowledged the importance of Uber and Bolt to passengers. Management said the platforms provide significant convenience and additional transportation choices, particularly for travellers seeking flexible movement to and from airports.
The Authority further acknowledged concerns from passengers who may experience inconvenience while discussions with the affected operators continue.
FAAN, operators seek quick resolution
Meanwhile, FAAN said discussions with the affected operators are continuing and described the engagement as constructive.
Management said the discussions are focused on resolving outstanding issues involving passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the management of pick-up activities.
The Authority expressed confidence that a mutually acceptable understanding would be reached shortly.
FAAN’s position comes as airports increasingly become important points of interaction between traditional commercial transportation providers and technology-driven mobility platforms. The challenge, therefore, is balancing passenger convenience with the operational requirements of highly regulated airport environments.
For passengers, the immediate concern remains whether Uber, Bolt and other ride-hailing platforms will remain readily accessible at airports.
FAAN said its intention is not to remove that choice. Instead, Management said it wants the services integrated into an airport framework capable of ensuring safety, accountability and orderly passenger movement.
The Authority reiterated that passenger protection remains its overriding consideration. It said every measure being taken is aimed at providing travellers with a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.
FAAN Management also reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers.
The Authority said such collaboration will help ensure passengers continue to have access to safe and convenient transportation options at Nigerian airports.
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