The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that it has not imposed a blanket ban on Uber and Bolt at Nigerian airports, saying discussions with e-hailing operators are underway to establish rules for their continued operations.
The clarification came on Thursday, August 20, 2026, following concerns and reports that passengers could lose access to popular ride-hailing services at airports. FAAN said its objective is not to remove transportation choices but to ensure commercial transport operators work within a system that addresses safety, security and accountability.
The authority said airports operate under strict regulatory conditions and require adequate oversight of vehicles, drivers and passenger pick-up activities.
FAAN also pointed to operational complaints around commercial transportation activities at airport premises, including passenger solicitation and touting.
Rather than imposing a general prohibition, the agency said it is working with Uber, Bolt and other stakeholders to resolve the outstanding issues.
FAAN’s position centres on how commercial transportation services operate within controlled airport environments.
The authority said it needs sufficient visibility over vehicles and drivers using airport facilities. Such oversight, it argued, becomes particularly important when security incidents, passenger complaints or other operational problems occur.
Among the issues under discussion are:
- Passenger safety and security
- Identification and monitoring of drivers and vehicles
- Accountability of commercial transport operators
- Management of airport pick-up points
- Passenger experience
- Control of solicitation and touting
FAAN said a formal operating framework would allow Uber, Bolt and similar services to continue serving travellers while meeting airport-specific requirements.
The development is therefore less about eliminating ride-hailing services and more about determining how they can operate within Nigeria’s regulated airport environment.
A major point of confusion has been FAAN’s Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS.
FAAN clarified that ACHRAMS is not a ride-hailing application and was not created as a rival to Uber or Bolt.
Instead, the authority said the system is intended to improve its oversight of commercial transportation at airports. It also provides a mechanism for managing applicable concessions and airport-related charges.
FAAN has previously described the system as part of efforts to modernise ground transportation management and strengthen coordination, passenger safety and security.
This distinction is important because the introduction of ACHRAMS had raised concerns about whether airport authorities intended to replace existing ride-hailing platforms with their own transportation system.
FAAN’s latest statement rejects that interpretation, stressing that ACHRAMS and e-hailing applications serve different purposes.
FAAN said discussions with affected operators remain ongoing, with the aim of resolving disagreements surrounding airport pick-ups and other operational requirements.
The authority acknowledged that passengers could experience inconvenience while the process is being finalised. However, it maintained that the talks are designed to produce a workable arrangement rather than shut down e-hailing services.
The expected framework would have to balance the convenience provided by ride-hailing companies with FAAN’s responsibilities for airport security and operational control.
The authority said it expects the discussions to conclude soon and reaffirmed its willingness to work with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers.
For travellers, FAAN’s clarification means reports of a nationwide or blanket prohibition on Uber and Bolt should not be interpreted as a permanent ban.
However, the regulatory discussions could still affect how and where passengers meet e-hailing drivers at airports.
Passengers may therefore see changes involving designated pick-up locations, driver identification, access procedures or other airport-specific requirements as FAAN and the operators finalise their framework.
FAAN’s central position is that e-hailing services remain valuable to air travellers, but their operations must comply with the security and management requirements of individual airport environments.
The next significant development will be the outcome of the negotiations between FAAN and the operators. A clear agreement could remove uncertainty for passengers while giving Uber and Bolt a defined pathway to continue airport services.
