FAAN: New Airport Car Hire System Will Not Displace Existing Drivers
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has assured airport taxi operators that the introduction of its new Airport Car Hire Rank Management System will not displace existing drivers but will instead modernise airport transportation through a digital platform.
FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, gave the assurance in an interview with The PUNCH, following concerns raised by traditional airport drivers over the planned rollout of the app-based system. She explained that ACHRAMS was introduced to address long-standing challenges in airport ground transportation, including poor coordination, inconsistent service quality and security concerns, while also supporting the Federal Government’s cashless policy.
According to Agunbiade, the project is being implemented under a 10-year concession, with Excelian Technologies Limited responsible for developing and managing the application, while FAAN retains regulatory oversight. She said the Authority had engaged stakeholders since 2024, with representatives of car hire operators across FAAN-managed airports participating in consultations held in July 2025.
She dismissed claims that the initiative was designed to replace existing operators, stressing that FAAN’s objective is to register as many qualified drivers as possible. “ACHRAMS is not intended to displace any car hire operator,” she said, adding that structured transition programmes and sensitisation campaigns are being implemented to help drivers migrate to the new digital platform.
Agunbiade also denied reports that FAAN required only vehicles manufactured from 2020 to operate within airport premises. She clarified that the minimum requirement remains 2012 model vehicles, a policy communicated to operators since 2024. The compliance deadline, initially fixed for January 1, 2026, was extended to June and has now been shifted to October 1, 2026.
She explained that virtually all existing drivers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport had already been cleared to operate on the platform, except operators from two companies whose union allegedly directed them not to participate in ACHRAMS. According to her, the drivers seen protesting during the pilot launch were largely affiliated with those companies.
Addressing concerns by e-hailing operators, Agunbiade said FAAN was close to finalising agreements with Bolt and Uber to integrate their services into the ACHRAMS platform. Pending the conclusion of those agreements, she said, the companies would not be permitted to pick up passengers from airport terminals.
She added that the pilot phase of the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System commenced at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on July 1, 2026, and is progressing smoothly, with most existing drivers cooperating to ensure the success of the digital platform. According to her, the phased rollout will allow FAAN to assess the system, gather feedback and refine operations before expanding it to other airports nationwide.