The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that it directed airport taxi operators to replace their vehicles with 2020 model cars before they could continue operating at the nation’s airports.
The clarification follows a viral video in which some airport cab drivers appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to intervene, alleging that FAAN had introduced a policy requiring them to purchase vehicles worth between N18 million and N30 million despite the prevailing economic challenges.
In the video, one of the drivers claimed that the authority was insisting on 2020 model vehicles as part of a new app-based airport taxi system, describing the requirement as unrealistic for many operators struggling to remain in business.
The video generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians sympathising with the drivers, while others argued that transport services at international airports should meet higher operational standards.
Responding to the controversy, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, said the allegations were false and did not reflect the authority’s policy.
“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,” she said.
According to Agunbiade, the drivers were attempting to disrupt the soft and pilot launches of the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
She stressed that the incident had no connection with any policy requiring operators to use 2020 model vehicles.
“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 explained.
Agunbiade disclosed that the vehicle standard had been communicated to operators since 2024, with the original compliance deadline of 1 January 2026 later extended to June and subsequently moved to 1 October 2026 to provide operators with more time to comply.
She also dismissed reports that the authority intended to remove about 60 per cent of existing airport taxi drivers to make room for 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.
