Cab Operators Threaten To Ground Operations At Lagos, Abuja Airports

No fewer than 200 cab operators have issued a 9-day ultimatum to shut down operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, over the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) anti-operator policies.

Naija News learnt that the President of the National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO), Adeola Adepegba, while addressing newsmen in Lagos, lamented that FAAN had increased their tariff from ₦500 to ₦1,500 despite operators maintaining the same transport fares over the past three years.

Adepegba said the latest development would force them to increase fares, noting that FAAN was also attempting to compel union members to adopt an app-based transport system without adequate consultation.

He said, “Sequel to the registration of NUPCO as a union in 2025, it is clear by the jurisdictional scope that our union is not an app-operational system, but FAAN management introduced us to consultants who would migrate us to an app ecosystem. We outrightly reject this ambush that lacks consultation and discussion.

“Rather than for FAAN management to engage with us with mutual respect, we are being harassed on a daily basis to force us to embrace an app-based digital system, thus converting us to members of Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria, AUATON.

“It is instructive to state that NUPCO’s jurisdictional scope covers car hire operating in the airports, mall centres and hotels, among others, which is quite distinct from the jurisdictional scope of AUATON, which is an app-based ecosystem operation.

“NUPCO is the only transport union that has its jurisdictional scope to operate within the airport in the country. Meanwhile, AUATON is an app-based e-hailing digital application within the transport ecosystem, which means AUATON can bring and pick passengers at the airports through an app-based generated system, it is not within its jurisdictional scope to have an app based in any airport in any part of the country. It is our union that is legally permitted by law to be stationed at airports.

“It is also pertinent to note that the management of FAAN has arbitrarily increased our tariff payment from N500 to N1,500. This is by 200 per cent, which is uncalled for considering the present state of our economic vis-à-vis hardship and poor purchasing power, we are currently experiencing in the country. This fee is a pay as you go payment, which we pay as any passenger is picked. Therefore, we find it unacceptable as there is no genuine business that can bring 200 per cent profit presently. This hike will automatically increase the transport fare to be paid by our passengers and does not serve the interest of the overall economy.

“Likewise, FAAN issued directives that effective from July 1, 2026, we should stop using cars below 2012 models. In this harsh economy, where patronage has been very low while allowing app based cars will undermine us and jeopardize efforts at improving our mode of operation, how would we buy newer and more expensive cars? We see this as a ploy to send us out of business.

“FAAN management, in its bid to get our members out of business, came up with a policy of reducing our existing companies by 90 per cent, thus planning to push us out of business in order to bring in their friends and cronies to take over.”