FAAN Clears Bolt To Resume Operations At Nigerian Airports After Passenger Outcry | Sahara Reporters

The agency said it had reached an “agreeable operational framework” with Bolt after what it described as “constructive engagements.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared e-hailing company Bolt to resume operations at airports managed by the agency, following public complaints over disruptions and increased transportation costs.

FAAN announced the resolution in a statement dated August 27, 2026, signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire.

The agency said it had reached an “agreeable operational framework” with Bolt after what it described as “constructive engagements.”

“The Authority is therefore pleased to announce that, following constructive engagements, FAAN and Bolt have reached an agreeable operational framework and Bolt is cleared to commence its services at FAAN-managed airports immediately,” Agbebire stated.

The development comes after a period of inconvenience for passengers following the temporary interruption of e-hailing services at FAAN-managed airports.

FAAN apologised to travellers who were affected, acknowledging concerns over increased transportation costs and difficulties experienced during the disruption.

“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” the agency said.

According to FAAN, it had been working for nearly a decade to address challenges associated with commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating within airport environments.

The authority cited increasing cases of passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups, as well as safety, security and accountability concerns.

“These challenges, which in some instances involve drivers operating across more than one platform, have made it necessary for the Authority to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation within the airport,” FAAN said.

The agency explained that it introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) in response to these concerns.

ACHRAMS, according to FAAN, is a queue-management and airport transportation management system designed to improve structure, visibility and accountability in the operations of authorised airport car-hire services.

FAAN, however, stressed that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never designed to compete with Uber, Bolt or other mobility platforms.

“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt or any other mobility platform. Its function is limited to the management of airport car-hire ranks and the authorized operations associated with them,” Agbebire stated.

The agency also denied suggestions that it had introduced new airport taxi fares through the system.

“It is also important to clarify that the fares highlighted in some of the recent public discussions were not rates newly imposed by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS,” it said.

FAAN said airport taxi fares had existed independently of the application and that the rates were “not substantially different from those previously applicable.”

However, it admitted that ACHRAMS had made existing airport taxi fares more visible to passengers, creating a sharper comparison with cheaper fares offered through e-hailing platforms.

“What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around the prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the cost more readily apparent to passengers,” FAAN said.

The authority acknowledged that the comparison with lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms had heightened public concern.

“FAAN is aware of and deeply appreciates the concerns expressed by passengers over the increased cost and inconvenience experienced during the temporary interruption of e-hailing services,” the agency added.

The agency maintained that its actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests.

“While the Authority’s actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, FAAN acknowledges that the immediate impact on passengers was significant,” FAAN said.

FAAN said it had listened to the concerns and made the necessary adjustments.

“We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments,” the authority stated.

The agency said the agreement with Bolt demonstrated that airport authorities could protect airport security and operational integrity while allowing passengers to retain access to e-hailing services.

“The resolution demonstrates that it is possible to protect the integrity and security of the airport environment while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice that e-hailing services provide to passengers,” FAAN said

FAAN added that it remained engaged with other e-hailing operators and expressed confidence that outstanding discussions would be concluded in the coming days.

The authority reiterated that passengers were free to choose from available transportation options that best suited their needs.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service they choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment,” the agency said.

FAAN thanked travellers for their patience and understanding, assuring them that passenger safety, security, convenience and the overall airport experience remained at the centre of its decisions.

The friction escalated rapidly following a sudden suspension of ride-hailing services, leaving travelers dealing with massive price surges before a resolution began to emerge.

The conflict intensified when FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS). The authority maintains that ACHRAMS is an internal digital tracking system designed to regulate airport car-hire operations, increase security, and provide visibility on commercial vehicles operating on airport grounds. FAAN insists it is not a competing ride-hailing application.

But following the launch of this system, e-hailing drivers were temporarily blocked from picking up passengers at major hubs like Lagos and Abuja airports.

The temporary restriction of standard ride-hailing apps triggered immediate public outcry due to severe passenger inconvenience and price gouging.

Traditional airport car-hire fares reportedly skyrocketed, with some travelers facing costs as high as ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 for trips that usually cost between ₦6,000 and ₦8,000 on standard apps.

FAAN countered that it did not dictate these high prices, claiming the ACHRAMS platform simply made existing traditional airport taxi rates transparently visible, which shocked passengers accustomed to cheaper e-hailing fees.