Passengers using the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have expressed frustration over higher transportation costs following restrictions affecting ride-hailing services operating within the airport premises.
Travellers have reported that trips which previously cost about ₦6,000 to ₦8,000 on platforms such as Uber and Bolt are now being quoted at as much as ₦30,000 through airport car-hire services.
The issue gained renewed attention after travel content creator Chris Joondeph, popularly known as Authentic Travelling, shared his experience at the Lagos airport. He said he was quoted ₦30,000 for a journey from the airport to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, compared with the ₦6,000–₦8,000 he said he had previously paid for similar trips using Uber.
Joondeph reportedly declined the fare and left the airport premises, where he later secured an alternative ride through inDrive for about ₦6,100. His experience triggered reactions online, with passengers questioning the significant difference between airport car-hire fares and prices offered by conventional ride-hailing platforms.
The development follows the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) efforts to establish a new framework for commercial transportation services operating within airport premises.
FAAN has, however, clarified that it has not imposed a blanket ban on Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing platforms at Nigerian airports. The authority said its discussions with the operators are aimed at establishing an operational framework that addresses safety, security, accountability and the management of passenger pick-ups.
According to FAAN, airports are highly regulated environments, requiring commercial transport operators to have appropriate arrangements that enable the authority to identify and monitor drivers, vehicles and operations.
The authority also cited concerns over passenger solicitation and touting within and around airport premises as reasons for reviewing the existing arrangements.
FAAN further clarified that its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) is not an e-hailing application and was not designed to replace Uber, Bolt or similar platforms. Rather, it was developed to provide operational visibility and tracking while facilitating the management of applicable airport charges.
The authority said it recognised the convenience offered by e-hailing services and acknowledged concerns from passengers who may experience inconvenience while the discussions are ongoing.
FAAN said it remained engaged with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers and expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached to enable e-hailing services to operate within a framework that meets airport requirements.
The restrictions have nevertheless created concerns among travellers, particularly those arriving in Lagos who rely on ride-hailing platforms because of their relatively transparent pricing and accessibility.
For now, the reported ₦30,000 fare represents an individual passenger’s quoted airport car-hire price rather than a confirmed standard fare applicable to all journeys. The current situation also remains subject to FAAN’s ongoing discussions with e-hailing operators.
FAAN has said its objective is to ensure passenger safety and orderly airport operations while maintaining convenient transportation options for travellers.
