Bolt Returns To Nigerian Airports As FAAN Resolves Operational Dispute

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared ride-hailing company Bolt to immediately resume operations at all FAAN-managed airports following an agreement reached between both parties over the platform’s operations within the airport environment.

The development ends a period of disruption that left some travellers without access to their preferred e-hailing service and triggered public complaints over the cost and availability of transportation at Nigerian airports.

In a statement issued on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the authority said it had reached an “agreeable operational framework” with Bolt following constructive engagements.

FAAN said the resolution was aimed at balancing the convenience and freedom of choice offered by e-hailing services with the safety, security, accountability and operational requirements of the airport environment.

“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,” the authority said.

The dispute had its roots in FAAN’s efforts to regulate commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating within airport premises.

According to the authority, it has spent nearly a decade addressing challenges associated with airport transportation, including passenger solicitation and touting, random and unregulated pick-ups, as well as concerns over the identification, accountability and security of drivers and vehicles.

FAAN said the situation was further complicated by instances in which some drivers operate across more than one ride-hailing platform, making it necessary to establish greater visibility and coordination within the airport environment.

The authority introduced the Airport Car-Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS, as part of its response to those challenges.

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

Rather, it said the system was developed to provide greater structure, visibility and accountability in the management of authorised airport car-hire services.

The authority also rejected claims that it had introduced or fixed the taxi fares that recently generated public controversy.

FAAN said the fares highlighted in public discussions were not newly imposed by the authority and were not created by ACHRAMS.

It explained that the rates existed independently of the system and had been in place previously, although ACHRAMS made them more visible to passengers.

The clarification followed widespread concern over the cost of transportation from airports, particularly after reports of a ₦30,000 taxi quote from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos generated public criticism.

FAAN acknowledged that passengers were concerned about the difference between some airport taxi rates and the lower prices they had become accustomed to paying through e-hailing platforms.

The authority also admitted that the temporary disruption of e-hailing services had caused inconvenience to travellers.

“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” Agbebire said, adding that FAAN had “listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments.”

FAAN maintained that its actions were motivated by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than commercial interests.

It also dismissed suggestions that it was attempting to create a monopoly over transportation services at Nigerian airports.

The authority said it supports healthy competition and that passengers remain free to choose among available authorised transportation options that best meet their needs.

FAAN’s latest position is consistent with an earlier clarification issued on August 20, when the authority said it had not banned Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing platforms from Nigerian airports.

At the time, FAAN explained that its engagement with the operators was intended to establish a workable framework that would allow e-hailing services to continue while ensuring passenger safety, security and orderly airport operations.

Following the agreement with Bolt, FAAN said it remained in discussions with other e-hailing operators and expected the outstanding engagements to be concluded in the coming days.

The authority did not disclose which other platforms were still involved in discussions.

FAAN said the agreement with Bolt demonstrated that passenger convenience and airport security could be protected simultaneously through cooperation between regulators and mobility providers.

It assured travellers that its responsibility was to ensure that whatever authorised transportation service they selected operated within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable environment.

The authority thanked the travelling public for its patience and understanding during the period of disruption and reiterated that passenger safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience remained central to its decisions.

With Bolt now cleared to resume operations, passengers using FAAN-managed airports can once again access the platform for airport journeys, while FAAN continues negotiations with other e-hailing operators to establish similar operational arrangements.