Nigeria's FAAN Bans Uber, Bolt at Lagos, Abuja Airports Amidst Taxi Regulation Talks

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has temporarily suspended Uber and Bolt operations at its airports in Lagos and Abuja. This move aims to bring order to taxi services and ensure compliance with FAAN's regulations.

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Over the years, FAAN had frowned at taxi association like the then Airport Car Hire Association of Nigeria and has decided to recognise the operators as individual companies, in an effort to streamline taxi operation at the airports.

According to lawyer Williams Ikem, who is mediating with taxi operators, FAAN wants to assert greater control over airport taxi services. A key point of contention is vehicle age, with FAAN mandating taxis be no older than 2012, a stricter requirement than Uber and Bolt's criteria. FAAN also seeks agreements with the e-hailing platforms, which have reportedly not been forthcoming.

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FAAN wants relatively new vehicles as taxis. So, it directed that all vehicles used at taxis at the airport must not be older than 2012. Uber and Bolt have different criteria.

Furthermore, traditional airport taxis adhere to a specific service tradition: after dropping a passenger, they drive back empty without picking up another fare. This practice, which facilitates the return of lost items, is not aligned with the operational model of Uber and Bolt, who are seen as lacking "allegiance" to FAAN's established norms. The ban will remain in effect until discussions conclude.

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Also, the taxis at the airport are monitored by FAAN and they have a tradition at the airport. If airport taxi takes you to your destinations, например, to Victoria Island, it will drive empty without picking another passenger back to the airport.