FAAN denies forcing airport taxi operators to buy 2020 cars

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed claims that it directed airport taxi operators to replace their vehicles with 2020 model cars as a condition for continuing operations at the nation’s airports.

The clarification followed 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 ₦18 million and ₦30 million despite the prevailing economic challenges.

Reacting to the allegations, Adebola Agunbiade, FAAN’s director of commercial and business development, said the claims were false and misrepresented the authority’s policy.

In a statement, Agunbiade explained that the protest was staged by some car hire operators who declined to register on the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), a digital platform introduced to manage airport taxi operations.

“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. This incident is not related to any policy regarding vehicle model year,” she said.

She also refuted claims that FAAN mandated operators to acquire 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,” Agunbiade stated.

According to her, the 2012 minimum vehicle requirement had been communicated to operators since 2024, with the compliance deadline initially fixed for January 1, 2026, before it was extended to June and later shifted to October 1, 2026.

She also dismissed reports that FAAN planned to remove 60 per cent of existing airport taxi operators 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 added.q10😂1

Agunbiade disclosed that most airport taxi operators at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport had already been cleared to operate under the new system, except for two companies whose union allegedly advised them not to participate.

She further revealed that FAAN was finalising agreements with ride-hailing companies, Bolt and Uber, to integrate their services into ACHRAMS, assuring that both platforms would continue operating at the airports once the process is completed.