Uber Exit: FAAN Denies Blame, Exposes Deep Dispute Over Airport Security and Driver Liability

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially refuted allegations that high-handed airport regulations drove ride-hailing giant Uber to discontinue its Nigerian operations. According to official statements from the aviation authority, the company's decision to exit after 12 years of market presence was rooted in its internal economic strategies and corporate regulatory posture rather than state-imposed bottlenecks.

Addressing stakeholders at an aviation hall of fame ceremony in Lagos, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, clarified the agency's position regarding the rift between airport management and digital transport platforms. She revealed that the authority had received widespread complaints from travelers—particularly during peak holiday seasons—concerning poor service delivery, arbitrary fare surges, and severe security compromises.

Reports allegedly linked to some e-hailing and car-hire operators ranged from passenger intimidation to unauthorized drop-offs in isolated areas. FAAN maintained that its intervention was strictly motivated by an obligation to protect transit passengers and eliminate touting across terminal corridors.

"In recent weeks, I have seen a lot of information in the media, and it is important to clarify it. My responsibility, first, is to ensure that our passengers are safe, protected, and have a seamless experience," Kuku stated, stressing that safety enforcement remains non-negotiable for airport management.