Cab operators threaten to shut Lagos, Abuja airports over FAAN policies

By Dickson Omobola

No fewer than 200 cab operators, Monday, threatened to ground operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, in nine days if the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, fails to reverse what they described as anti-operator policies.

The drivers, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Private Cab Operators, NUPCO, said the policies include a directive requiring them to stop using vehicles manufactured before 2012 with effect from July 1, 2026.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, National President of NUPCO, Mr Adeola Adepegba, lamented that FAAN had also increased their tariff from N500 to N1,500 despite operators maintaining the same transport fares over the past three years, saying the development would force them to increase fares.

According to him, FAAN was also attempting to force members of the union into 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.”

Meanwhile, the National President of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association, PERESSA, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Mr Rufus Olusesan, threw his weight behind the cab operators and warned that organised labour could shut down airport operations if the dispute remained unresolved.

Olusesan urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, to intervene and call the airport authority to order.

Olusesan said: “We will mobilise both unions in the NLC and TUC to make sure that we ground this airport on July 1. We want to assure this union that the labour movement is solely behind you. We have some unions, including NUATE, ATSSAN, NAAPE, operating here already. We will discuss with them and make sure that we collaborate because an injury to one is an injury to all.”