The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is facing criticism from aviation stakeholders over its decision to restrict e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, from operating at Nigerian airports.
Newsonspot reports that while stakeholders acknowledged FAAN’s authority to regulate transportation within airport premises, they argued that such regulations should focus on passenger safety, convenience, affordability and access to reliable transportation rather than shielding existing airport taxi operators from competition.
The Principal Managing Partner of Aeronexus Group, Gbenga Onitilo, said the debate was not about whether airport transportation should be regulated, but whether the policy placed passengers at the centre of the decision.
Onitilo expressed concern that the restriction could leave passengers stranded or force them to pay higher fares. He noted that Bolt already operates structured airport pricing and routes, suggesting that the platform could be regulated and supervised instead of being completely excluded.
He also questioned FAAN’s requirement that vehicles operating at airports must be 2012 models or newer. Although he acknowledged that the standard could be justified on safety and service-quality grounds, he said it could place a heavy financial burden on transport operators.
According to him, a used 2012 vehicle could cost more than N15 million, while operators must also cover fuel, maintenance, insurance and financing expenses.
Onitilo further questioned whether existing airport taxi operators had enough capacity to handle the additional passengers who previously relied on Uber and Bolt, particularly travellers arriving at airports who require immediate transportation.
He cited airports in Accra, Johannesburg and Kenya as examples of facilities where e-hailing services have been integrated into airport transportation systems.
A former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, also described the restriction as an infringement on passengers’ rights.
He argued that passengers already contribute significantly to the financing of the aviation sector through charges such as the Ticket Sales Charge and FAAN administrative fees. In his view, restricting Uber and Bolt may not necessarily improve safety or orderliness but could instead give an unfair advantage to a limited number of airport transport operators.
He urged airport taxi operators to compete with e-hailing companies through better service, competitive pricing and reliability rather than relying on restrictions to limit competition.
Similarly, the President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria (AOPAN), Dr Alex Nwuba, questioned whether passenger interests were adequately considered in the policy.
Nwuba agreed that transportation services within airport environments require proper regulation, but said the approach should be people-oriented and designed to integrate modern transportation services into the airport ecosystem.
He advocated regulation based on integration, supervision and accountability rather than outright exclusion. According to him, transportation providers should meet appropriate safety and service standards while passengers should retain access to safe, affordable and reliable options.
Nwuba stressed that passengers ultimately sustain the aviation and transportation sectors through the fares and charges they pay, making their interests an important consideration in airport policy decisions.
He added that the effectiveness of an airport should ultimately be judged by whether passengers, including those arriving late at night, can easily access safe, affordable and convenient transportation to their destinations.
