The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied allegations that it directed airport taxi operators to acquire 2020 model vehicles as a condition for continuing operations at the country’s airports.
The clarification followed the circulation of a viral video in which some airport cab drivers appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the public to intervene over what they described as a policy requiring them to replace their vehicles with newer models costing between N18 million and N30 million.
In the video, the drivers alleged that the requirement was tied to the implementation of a new digital airport taxi management platform and argued that many operators could not afford such vehicles amid prevailing economic challenges.
The claims generated widespread reactions online, with some Nigerians expressing support for the drivers, while others maintained that airport transportation services should meet standards consistent with international aviation facilities.
Reacting to the controversy, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the authority had never mandated the use of 2020 model vehicles.
She explained that the protest captured in the viral video was linked to opposition from some operators who declined to register on the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), rather than any policy relating to vehicle model year requirements.
“Regarding the video circulating online, the claim that the main cause of the drivers’ actions is not accurate,” Agunbiade said.
“The footage shows planned resistance by car hire operators who refused to register on the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System. Those drivers were working to prevent the soft and pilot launches of the system at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. This incident is not related to any policy regarding vehicle model year.”
She stressed that the authority’s requirement is for vehicles manufactured from 2012 and above, not 2020 models as alleged.
“It is incorrect to say that FAAN asked drivers to change their vehicles to a minimum of the 2020 model because of the introduction of ACHRAMS. In fact, one of the conditions laid down by the Authority for registration on the app is that drivers must operate vehicles manufactured in 2012 or above,” she added.
According to Agunbiade, the vehicle compliance requirement was communicated to operators as far back as 2024. She noted that the original deadline of January 1, 2026, was extended first to June and later to October 1, 2026, to provide operators with additional time to meet the standards.
FAAN also rejected claims that the introduction of the digital platform was designed to phase out a majority of existing airport taxi operators.
Agunbiade said the authority’s objective was not to remove drivers but to ensure that all operators meet established operational and safety requirements.
“It is important to note that FAAN is not planning to clear only 60 per cent of existing drivers to pave the way for ACHRAMS. The intention is to clear all drivers, provided they comply with the laid-down standards,” she said.
She disclosed that nearly all airport taxi operators currently working at the Murtala Muhammed Airport had been approved to operate under the new system, except for two companies whose members were reportedly advised by their union not to participate.
According to her, many operators outside the National Union of Private Cab Operators have already embraced the platform and are participating in its pilot phase.
Addressing concerns from e-hailing operators, Agunbiade said FAAN was in discussions with ride-hailing companies, including Uber and Bolt, to integrate their services into the new system.
She explained that agreements were being finalised to enable the companies continue airport operations within the ACHRAMS framework.
The FAAN official noted, however, that until those arrangements are completed, the e-hailing platforms do not have formal approval to pick up passengers directly from airport terminals.
She said any temporary restrictions affecting such operators should be viewed as regulatory and operational matters rather than a permanent ban.
FAAN maintained that the new digital platform is intended to improve efficiency, accountability and service quality in airport ground transportation while ensuring that operators comply with established standards.