The airport authority apologises for the disruption and says a new operational framework will allow Bolt to resume services while maintaining safety and security standards

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has restored Bolt operations at airports following a public backlash over disrupted e-hailing services and rising transport costs, with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo directing the authority to resolve the matter urgently.

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FAAN announced the decision on Thursday, August 27, 2026, after constructive discussions with Bolt produced an operational framework under which the e-hailing company was cleared to resume services at airports managed by the authority.

The development followed complaints from passengers and social media users who said the temporary restriction had made airport transportation more difficult and expensive.

Keyamo said on X that he had directed FAAN to address the concerns over what passengers described as exorbitant taxi fares.

“Following my directive to FAAN to urgently address the issue of exorbitant taxi fare increases at our airports, the issue has been resolved as follows,” the minister said.

In a statement signed by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the authority confirmed that Bolt had been cleared to operate immediately.

“The Authority is therefore pleased to announce that, following constructive engagements, FAAN and Bolt have reached an agreeable operational framework and Bolt is cleared to commence its services at FAAN-managed airports immediately,” FAAN said.

The reversal brings an end to a short but disruptive period for passengers who had relied on e-hailing services to travel to and from Nigerian airports.

FAAN said the dispute was rooted in a wider effort to regulate commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating within airport environments, an issue it said had challenged the authority for almost a decade.

Among the problems identified by FAAN were passenger solicitation, touting, unregulated operations and random pick-ups, as well as concerns about safety, security and accountability.

“These challenges, which in some instances involve drivers operating across more than one platform, have made it necessary for the Authority to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation within the airport,” the authority said.

As part of that effort, FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS, to organise authorised airport car-hire services.

The authority stressed, however, that ACHRAMS was never intended to compete with commercial e-hailing platforms.

“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt or any other mobility platform. Its function is limited to the management of airport car-hire ranks and the authorised operations associated with them,” FAAN said.

The clarification was significant because concerns had emerged that the airport management system could effectively restrict competition or give preferential treatment to conventional airport taxis.

FAAN rejected that interpretation, insisting that it supported competition and had no intention of establishing a monopoly in airport transportation.

“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation,” the authority said.

The agency also addressed the controversy surrounding airport taxi fares, explaining that the rates discussed publicly were neither newly introduced by FAAN nor created by ACHRAMS.

Instead, FAAN said the fares had existed independently of the system and were not substantially different from rates previously applicable at airports.

“What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around the prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the cost more readily apparent to passengers,” it explained.

The explanation did little to diminish the immediate concern for passengers, many of whom had become accustomed to lower fares offered by e-hailing platforms.

With those services temporarily unavailable, the difference between conventional airport taxi rates and e-hailing prices became more visible, contributing to complaints over the cost of airport transportation.

FAAN acknowledged the impact of the disruption and apologised to passengers who experienced difficulties.

“We are aware of and deeply appreciate the concerns expressed by passengers over the increased cost and inconvenience experienced during the temporary suspension of e-hailing services,” the authority said.

“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers.”

The authority maintained that its initial actions were based on regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than commercial interests.

“While the Authority’s actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, FAAN acknowledges that the immediate impact on passengers was significant,” it said.

The authority added that it had reconsidered its approach following the complaints.

“We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments,” FAAN said.

The agreement with Bolt is therefore being presented as a compromise between maintaining airport security and preserving passenger choice.

According to FAAN, the resolution demonstrates that e-hailing services can operate within a controlled airport environment without compromising safety, security or accountability.

“The resolution demonstrates that it is possible to protect the integrity and security of the airport environment while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice that e-hailing services provide to passengers,” it said.

The authority also disclosed that discussions with other e-hailing operators were continuing and expressed confidence that the outstanding engagements would be concluded in the coming days.

“FAAN remains engaged with other e-hailing operators and is confident that the outstanding discussions will be concluded in the coming days,” it said.

The development could eventually provide a clearer framework for how e-hailing companies operate at Nigerian airports, particularly around designated pick-up points, driver identification, passenger solicitation and accountability.

For travellers, the immediate significance is more practical: the return of Bolt restores another familiar option for getting to and from airports without relying solely on conventional airport taxi services.

FAAN reiterated that passengers remained free to select their preferred transportation option, provided the service operated within the approved airport framework.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service they choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment,” the authority said.

The authority thanked passengers for their patience during the disruption and said their safety, convenience and overall airport experience would remain central to its decisions.

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The resolution marks a notable shift from restriction to accommodation, with FAAN seeking to preserve its regulatory responsibilities while responding to passengers’ demand for affordable and convenient mobility.