The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on Friday denied social media claims that it had ordered airport taxi operators to replace their vehicles with 2020 model cars as a condition for continuing operations at the country’s airports.
The agency’s clarification followed a viral video in which some airport taxi drivers appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to intervene, alleging that FAAN had introduced a policy requiring them to acquire vehicles costing between N18 million and N30 million despite the country’s current economic challenges.
In the video, one of the drivers alleged that FAAN was requiring airport taxi operators to use 2020 model vehicles under a new app-based taxi scheme, describing the condition as unrealistic for many drivers already struggling to sustain their businesses.
The video triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians sympathising with the drivers, while others argued that airport transport services should maintain the higher standards expected at international airports.
Responding to the controversy, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, dismissed the claims as false, stating that they did not reflect the authority’s policy on airport taxi operations.
She said, “Regarding the video circulating online, the claim that the main cause of the drivers’ actions is not accurate. 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 explained that, contrary to the allegations, FAAN had never required operators to procure 2020 model vehicles as a condition for joining the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System.
Agunbiade added, “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 said the vehicle standard had been communicated to operators in 2024, with an initial compliance deadline of January 1, 2026. The deadline was subsequently extended to June and later moved to October 1, 2026, to give operators additional time to comply.
Agunbiade also dismissed claims that FAAN planned to remove about 60 per cent of existing airport taxi drivers to accommodate new entrants under the digital platform.
“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 said the vehicle standard had been communicated to operators in 2024, with an initial compliance deadline of January 1, 2026. The deadline was subsequently extended to June and later moved to October 1, 2026, to give operators additional time to comply.
Agunbiade also dismissed claims that FAAN planned to remove about 60 per cent of existing airport taxi drivers to accommodate new entrants under the digital platform.
