FAAN REINSTATES SUSPENSION OF UBER, BOLT OPERATIONS AT NIGERIAN AIRPORTS OVER SAFETY, SECURITY CONCERNS

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reinstated the suspension of commercial operations by e-hailing platforms Uber and Bolt across airports under its management, citing safety, security, accountability and operational concerns.

The development followed an internal memo dated July 30, 2026, directing Regional General Managers and Airport Managers to ensure that both ride-hailing companies immediately suspend commercial operations at all FAAN-managed airports pending the finalisation and execution of their respective licence agreements with the authority.

The memo, signed by the General Manager, Commercial Services, U.R. Liman, directed airport managers to enforce the suspension until the outstanding agreements with Uber and Bolt are concluded.

The memo stated: “Please be informed that pending the finalisation and execution of the License Agreement with Bolt and Uber, the authority has directed Messrs Bolt and Messrs Uber to cease all commercial operations at all FAAN-managed airports immediately.

“Consequently, you are to ensure that all operations of both Bolt and Uber are suspended until their License Agreements have been finalised and concluded.”

However, FAAN has moved to clarify the circumstances surrounding the suspension, stressing that the decision should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent passengers from accessing e-hailing services or undermine the role played by ride-hailing platforms in providing transportation options to air travellers.

According to the authority, its decision was primarily driven by its statutory responsibility to ensure that activities within the airport environment comply with established safety, security and operational requirements.

“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’s primary responsibility is to ensure that activities within the airport environment are conducted in a manner that guarantees the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users.”

FAAN explained that airports are highly regulated environments and that every commercial transportation operator conducting activities within airport premises is expected to operate under an appropriate framework that gives the airport authority adequate visibility over its activities.

The framework, according to FAAN, is necessary to enable the authority to monitor vehicles and drivers and ensure effective coordination whenever a security or passenger-related incident occurs.

“Airports are highly regulated environments. Consequently, all commercial transportation services operating within airport premises are required to have an appropriate framework that provides the airport authority with adequate visibility over their operations, vehicles and drivers, while also ensuring effective coordination in the event of a security or passenger related incident,” FAAN said.

The authority said the requirement was particularly important given the volume and nature of passenger movements at Nigerian airports.

It maintained that individuals providing transportation services within airport premises must be identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.

FAAN also addressed speculation surrounding its ACHRAMS platform, rejecting suggestions that the system was developed as a competing e-hailing service.

“FAAN also wishes to clarify a misconception regarding the Authority’s ACHRAMS platform. 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 said.

According to FAAN, ACHRAMS was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment while facilitating the seamless and accountable management of applicable concessions and related airport charges.

The authority further disclosed that it had received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises.

Among the concerns highlighted by FAAN were passenger solicitation and touting, which it said had created operational difficulties within airport environments.

“FAAN also wishes to clarify that the Authority has, over time, received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises, including issues relating to passenger solicitation and touting,” it said.

The authority said the concerns made it necessary to establish a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation services at airports.

FAAN disclosed that it had been engaging Uber and Bolt in an effort to establish a mutually workable operational framework that would recognise the importance of e-hailing services while simultaneously addressing the specific safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of airports.

The authority stressed that the current development should not be interpreted as a blanket ban on e-hailing services at Nigerian airports.

“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services,” FAAN said.

“Rather, it is part of an ongoing process of operational alignment with the objective of ensuring that e-hailing services can continue to serve passengers within a framework that meets the requirements of the airport.”

FAAN acknowledged the convenience and additional transportation choices provided by Uber and Bolt, while also recognising the concerns of passengers who may experience difficulties accessing their preferred transportation services while the disagreement over the operating framework persists.

“FAAN recognises the significant convenience and additional choice that platforms such as Uber and Bolt provide to passengers. The Authority equally appreciates the concerns being expressed by passengers who may experience inconvenience while these operational issues are being resolved,” it said.

The airport authority said it was eager to conclude the discussions with the affected operators as quickly as possible.

According to FAAN, the authority and the two e-hailing companies are currently engaged in constructive discussions aimed at resolving the outstanding issues.

The discussions are focused particularly on passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities within airport premises.

“For this reason, FAAN is keen to see the discussions concluded expeditiously. The authority and the affected operators are currently engaged in constructive discussions towards resolving the outstanding issues, particularly those relating to passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities within the airport environment,” FAAN said.

The latest development means passengers using FAAN-managed airports may face restrictions on commercial pick-up operations by Uber and Bolt within airport premises until the respective licence agreements and operational arrangements are finalised.

FAAN, however, has maintained that its objective is not to eliminate e-hailing services from Nigerian airports but to bring their operations within a framework that provides greater oversight, accountability and coordination while protecting the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users.