A tourist has revealed the exorbitant fare he was charged at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after e-hailing services like Uber and Bolt were temporarily banned under a new Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) policy. Chris, of Authentic Traveling, documented his experience in a video shared on Instagram, showing the difficulties he faced securing a ride out of the airport.
In the footage, Chris is seen at the airport, searching for an alternative means to book a ride home since Uber and Bolt were no longer options. He approached airport staff for assistance and was shocked by what he discovered. An airport staff member, wearing a t-shirt with FAAN printed on it, told him, "We have app now," referring to the FAAN-approved airport car hire rank management system (ACHRAMS).
Shocking Fare Quote for a Short Ikeja Trip
When they checked the app, Chris was informed that a car from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, located in Ikeja, to another location within the same Ikeja area would cost N30,000. Chris noted that the same trip usually cost him between N6,000 and N8,000 when using Uber. He said he would not be extorted and chose instead to walk until he reached a hotel outside the airport, where he ordered a ride for just N6,100.
The video, shared by Linda Ikeji's blog, has sparked widespread reactions, with many travellers lamenting that transportation costs booked via ACHRAMS are astronomically higher than charges from Uber and Bolt.
FAAN's Temporary Ban on E-Hailing Services
Last week, ThisDay reported that FAAN temporarily banned Uber and Bolt e-hailing platforms until talks are concluded among the parties. This move was reportedly aimed at streamlining the operations of taxis at the Abuja, Lagos, and other airports under FAAN's management. However, FAAN has denied imposing a blanket ban on e-hailing services.
In a statement on Thursday, August 20, FAAN clarified that its position was not intended to limit passengers' access to transportation options or undermine the role of e-hailing services in providing convenient mobility to air travellers. The authority emphasized that its primary responsibility is to ensure that activities within the airport environment are conducted in a manner that guarantees the safety, security, and convenience of passengers and other airport users.
FAAN stated, "FAAN has been engaging the relevant e-hailing operators to achieve a mutually workable operational framework that recognises the value of their services while addressing the peculiar safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of the airport environment. The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services. Rather, it is part of an ongoing process of operational alignment with the objective of ensuring that e-hailing services can continue to serve passengers within a framework that meets the requirements of the airport."
ACHRAMS: Not an E-Hailing App, Says FAAN
Speaking about ACHRAMS, which the agency introduced in June 2026, FAAN said the system is not an e-hailing application and was not developed to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt, or any other e-hailing platform. According to the statement, ACHRAMS was introduced to enhance operational efficiency, improve revenue generation, reduce loitering around airport arrival areas, and provide passengers with faster and more seamless access to car hire services at FAAN airports.
The authority added that ACHRAMS was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while facilitating the seamless and accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges. Despite these explanations, travellers continue to complain that the fares quoted through ACHRAMS are significantly higher than those offered by traditional e-hailing platforms.
Chris's experience highlights the ongoing friction between FAAN's regulatory measures and passenger expectations for affordable transportation options. The video serves as a stark illustration of the cost implications for travellers during this transitional period, as FAAN and e-hailing operators work toward a mutually acceptable framework.
