The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, has dismissed claims that the agency was responsible for Uber’s reported decision to exit the Nigerian market, insisting that FAAN’s actions regarding e-hailing operations at airports were guided by concerns about passenger safety, accountability and the need to address touting.

Speaking with journalists on Friday, Kuku said the decision by Uber to leave Nigeria, if taken, was entirely a matter for the company and had nothing to do with FAAN’s regulatory activities at the country’s airports.

“I work for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and my first responsibility is to ensure that our passengers are safe, protected, and have a seamless passenger experience.

“Regarding Uber, I can’t speak to their exit from Nigeria. I’m sure they have their own economic and regulatory considerations as to why they chose to exit.”

Her comments followed controversy surrounding FAAN’s temporary restriction on commercial pick-ups by e-hailing drivers at its airports pending the conclusion and signing of licence agreements. Critics had alleged that the move was intended to create space for ACHRAMS, the airport e-hailing platform introduced within the airport environment.

Kuku, however, said FAAN’s intervention became necessary following numerous complaints by passengers, particularly during the December holiday season, over their experiences with some e-hailing and car-hire operators.

“We received a lot of complaints, especially around the December holiday period, from passengers who used some of the e-hailing services, as well as car-hire services, and had very unpleasant experiences,” she said.

According to her, some of the complaints involved intimidation and situations in which passengers were allegedly taken to destinations other than where they intended to go, while other incidents raised even more serious safety concerns.

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The FAAN boss also accused some drivers operating through e-hailing platforms of exploiting access to the airport environment by presenting themselves as legitimate e-hailing operators before allegedly joining car-hire operators to charge passengers higher fares.

“We also had situations where some Uber and Bolt drivers would get out of their cars under the guise of coming into the airport as e-hailing drivers, and then join the car-hire operators to charge higher fares.

“Because there were widespread complaints about touting at the airport, it was important for us to provide some form of regulatory oversight for the car-hire operators,” she maintained.

Kuku explained that the digital platform introduced by FAAN was not designed to operate a transport service but to improve transparency by allowing passengers to know the identity of the car-hire companies and drivers taking them from the airport.

“The app that was developed was strictly focused on ensuring that passengers have visibility into who the car-hire companies are and who the driver taking them from Point A to Point B is,” she explained.

She further stressed that FAAN neither employed the drivers nor collected transport fares on their behalf.

“FAAN does not collect money on behalf of the drivers. Those car-hire drivers are not FAAN drivers. All we do is provide an indication of the rates based on the destination you are travelling to,” she said.

On concerns about the cost of transportation from airports, Kuku maintained that passengers retained the freedom to choose between pre-booking a vehicle, using an e-hailing platform or engaging a car-hire operator.

“It is the passenger’s choice whether to pre-book a car, use an e-hailing app, or use a car-hire service. We have no jurisdiction over that,” Kuku stated.

She said FAAN’s primary responsibility was to ensure proper identification and accountability for individuals providing transportation services within the airport environment.

“The only responsibility I have is to ensure that passengers have visibility into who is driving them and that there is accountability for those operating within our airports.”

Kuku also identified disagreements over liability as one of the major challenges in FAAN’s engagement with e-hailing companies. While the companies sought designated pick-up locations at airports, FAAN, she said, wanted clearer responsibility for the conduct and safety of drivers operating through their platforms.

“One of the issues we were struggling with the e-hailing companies over was largely around liability clauses.

“But we also wanted them to take responsibility for the drivers. However, we were told that those drivers are not Uber’s drivers; rather, they are independent drivers.

“So, with regard to any safety concerns we raised, they wanted passengers to use the safety features available on their platforms. They did not want to take on that responsibility, and we had a major issue with that.”

The FAAN managing director ultimately rejected suggestions that the authority’s policies forced Uber out of Nigeria, arguing that the company’s business considerations extended far beyond airport operations.

“I’m sure they had their own reasons, and I know they had been considering exiting Nigeria for a while, which is why we had a stumbling point with them.

“So, it has nothing to do with FAAN. Again, the airport is just a small part of the wider area in which they operate within Nigeria.”

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