The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has clarified that it has not imposed a blanket ban on Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing services at Nigerian airports.

The agency said its ongoing engagement with e-hailing operators is aimed at developing a framework that ensures passenger safety, security and orderly airport operations.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by FAAN Management.

FAAN said its position was not intended to restrict passengers’ transportation options or undermine the role of e-hailing platforms. Rather, it said the objective was to ensure that commercial transport services operating within airport premises are properly integrated into the airports’ operational and security framework.

“FAAN wishes to clarify that its position is not, and has never been, directed at limiting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the important role that e-hailing services play in providing convenient mobility to air travellers,” the FAAN stated.

FAAN explained that airports are highly regulated environments, requiring commercial transport operators to function within a framework that gives the authority adequate visibility over their vehicles and drivers.

The authority said the arrangement was necessary to ensure that transport providers are “identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.”

The clarification follows reports and public concerns over restrictions on e-hailing services at some FAAN-managed airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

It was earlier reported that the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System is a digital platform introduced by FAAN to modernise ground transportation at airports, enhance passenger safety and promote cashless transactions.

However, the rollout of the platform has sparked discussions and protests over vehicle standards, registration requirements and the integration of e-hailing drivers into the airport transport system.

FAAN also clarified that ACHRAMS was not introduced to compete with existing e-hailing platforms, but to provide a structured framework for managing commercial transport services within airport premises.