Travellers arriving at Nigeria’s major airports are facing severe vehicle shortages, travel disruptions, and surging transportation costs after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) suspended e-hailing giants Bolt and Uber from operating within its terminals. The suspension has effectively stranded passengers and sparked outrage among ride-hailing operators, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
The crackdown stems from an internal directive dated July 30, which ordered an immediate operational freeze pending the execution of formal licence agreements. The memo, titled “Suspension of Bolt and Uber operators at all FAAN-managed airports” and signed by U.R. Liman, the general manager of Commercial Services, instructed the companies to cease all commercial activities until their agreements are finalised. This move came alongside stricter new compliance protocols for all airport car-hire operators nationwide, requiring fleets to upgrade to a minimum vehicle model year of 2012 or 2015 and onboard services directly onto a newly designated FAAN digital booking application.
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Drivers face the brunt of these enforcement measures, which include task force deployments, police vehicle impoundments, and heavy fines. In Lagos, Olanrewaju Lukman Bamgbaye, a cab operator, explained that the rigid enforcement at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MM1) created significant bottlenecks. “FAAN said they don’t want cab operators that have not upgraded to 2015 models at MM1 to stay,” Bamgbaye stated. “They are also insisting all cab operators register using the FAAN app, but Bolt has refused this arrangement. Because of this, they stopped allowing Bolt drivers into the airport terminal.”
Drivers battle N40,000 fines amid rising fuel costs
The situation escalates in Abuja, where enforcement has led to outright seizures. Prudent Matthew, an Abuja-based Bolt driver, described the scene on August 1, when over 50 task force personnel were deployed at the airport. “The new requirement has forced Bolt and Uber drivers out completely because if you are caught trying to pick up a rider, it’s a N40,000 fine,” Matthew added. “Imagine taking a trip of N18,000 or N20,000, getting caught, and paying N40,000. When you factor in fuel costs, it is deeply frustrating.” Matthew noted that filling a tank can cost N80,000 and weekly car rental remittances average N40,000, making the financial risk of operating within the airport prohibitive.
Passengers report that the removal of digital safety features is another downside to the shift away from app-based platforms. “Safety is also a concern—on app platforms, passengers can share trip details, plate numbers, and driver profiles with loved ones to monitor the journey,” Matthew explained. “You don’t get those digital safety features with traditional car hire.” Meanwhile, the monopoly held by the few traditional operators left on the ground has driven prices up. Official airport-operated car services in Abuja now charge significantly higher rates—often N30,000 or more—compared to the e-hailing fares of approximately N20,000 into the city centre.
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Passengers arriving at the airports are handling these changes with mixed results. Francis Tochukwu, a frequent flyer who recently travelled between Lagos and Abuja, experienced the surge firsthand. Upon arriving in Abuja, he noticed electric vehicles (EVs) operating at the airport but decided to approach a driver directly due to urgency. Later, when booking a ride to the airport, his driver explained that ride-hailing drivers were no longer permitted within the premises and that anyone found waiting could be arrested. Upon returning to Lagos, Tochukwu found similar surges; a Bolt ride from MMA2 to Festac displayed approximately N13,000 on the app, but the driver asked for N25,000 once outside the terminal to cover parking fees and security clearance risks.
A source within FAAN, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the move as a necessary step for security and revenue collection. “Items frequently go missing at the airport because we don’t know who is entering the premises,” the source said. “We have made registration via the app compulsory so we can track who enters the airport and capture the appropriate revenue.” As negotiations between FAAN and the major e-hailing platforms remain unresolved, travellers continue to bear the brunt of the disruption, facing high transportation costs and limited commute options at the country’s busiest aviation hubs.