The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has lifted its restriction on Bolt operations at airports, restoring passengers’ access to the e-hailing platform following widespread complaints over inconvenience and rising transportation fares.
Gatekeepers News reports that the reversal followed the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, after passengers and social media users raised concerns over the disruption.
In a post on his X handle, Keyamo said, “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.”
FAAN announced the decision in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and made available to our correspondent on Thursday.
The authority said the resolution followed constructive engagements with Bolt, resulting in an agreed operational framework for the e-hailing company to operate at FAAN-managed airports.
“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,” the statement said.
The development followed growing concerns over the management of commercial and e-hailing vehicles at airports. FAAN said it had been working for nearly a decade to address challenges associated with their operations, including passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups, as well as safety, security and accountability concerns.
“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,” FAAN stated.
To address the challenges, the airport authority introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS, to regulate and manage authorised airport car-hire services.
FAAN clarified that ACHRAMS was not an e-hailing platform and was not intended to compete with mobility companies such as Uber and Bolt.
“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,” it said.
The authority also stressed that it supported competition in the airport transportation sector and had no intention of creating a monopoly.
“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation.”
On concerns over airport taxi fares, FAAN said the rates that featured prominently in recent public discussions were neither newly imposed by the authority nor introduced by ACHRAMS.
It explained that airport taxi fares had existed independently of the system and were not substantially different from previously applicable rates.
“What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around the prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the cost more readily apparent to passengers,” the authority said.
FAAN acknowledged, however, that passengers had become accustomed to lower fares offered by e-hailing platforms, which heightened concerns over transportation costs following the temporary suspension of their services.
The authority said it was “aware of and deeply appreciates” passengers’ concerns over the increased costs and inconvenience caused by the disruption.
“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” FAAN said.
The authority maintained that its actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic 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 added, “We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments.”
According to FAAN, the agreement with Bolt demonstrated that airport security and regulatory requirements could be maintained without denying passengers access to convenient transportation options.
“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.”
The authority said discussions were ongoing with other e-hailing operators 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.”
FAAN reiterated that passengers remained free to choose their preferred transportation options, provided the services operated within the approved airport framework.
“FAAN reiterates that passengers remain free to choose from available transportation options that best meet their needs. Our responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service they choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment.”
The authority thanked travellers for their patience and understanding during the disruption, assuring them that passenger welfare remained central to its decisions.
“The Authority thanks the travelling public for its patience and understanding and assures passengers that their safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience remain at the centre of FAAN’s decisions.”
