The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has rejected suggestions that its restrictions on e-hailing pick-ups at Nigerian airports played a role in Uber’s decision to leave the country, insisting that the ride-hailing giant simply made a business decision of its own. FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku made the clarification in Lagos as the debate over Uber’s departure continues — leaving Nigerians to wonder whether this is merely a case of coincidence arriving at the airport with perfect timing. Uber officially discontinued its Nigerian operations on September 2, 2026, after 12 years in the market, saying the decision followed a review of its business priorities and investment focus across Africa.
“Please, Do Not Blame the Airport”
Kuku maintained that FAAN’s responsibility is primarily to protect passengers, improve security and ensure that commercial transport activities within airport premises operate under an accountable framework. The authority had previously explained that airports are highly regulated environments and that e-hailing operators needed an arrangement that would give FAAN better visibility over drivers, vehicles and operations.
The controversy became louder after FAAN temporarily stopped commercial pick-ups by e-hailing drivers at its airports pending the finalisation and execution of licence agreements. FAAN subsequently stressed that it had not imposed a blanket ban on Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing services. In the satirical court of Nigerian public opinion, however, the sequence of events has produced the classic question: if the airport door closed temporarily and Uber later left the country, must the two events necessarily be related? Apparently, the answer from FAAN is a firm “No, please check another department.”
FAAN to Nigerians: “Uber Left, But Please Remove Our Name From the Passenger List”
Uber, for its part, said its Nigerian exit was unrelated to the recent FAAN directive concerning e-hailing operations at airports. The company said it had reviewed its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa, while its withdrawal was limited to Nigeria and Uganda and did not affect its other African operations.
That explanation has not stopped Nigerians from connecting dots with the enthusiasm of detectives who have just discovered a suspiciously convenient coincidence. Uber entered Nigeria in 2014, beginning in Lagos, and its departure after 12 years comes amid broader pressures on the ride-hailing industry, including rising operating costs, inflation, fuel expenses and currency volatility. FAAN says the airport represents only a small portion of Uber’s wider Nigerian business and that the authority had no control over the company’s broader commercial decisions.
For now, FAAN is standing by its position that passenger safety, security and orderly airport transportation remain the priority, while Uber has already closed its Nigerian ride-hailing operation. Whether the debate eventually produces another explanation, a new regulatory arrangement or simply more Nigerian-style arguments over who should receive the blame remains to be seen. Readers should watch OGM News NG for further updates, because in Nigeria, even when one vehicle leaves the airport, the story may still be waiting in the departure lounge.
Table of Contents
Discover more from OGM News NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
