Airport cab drivers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport have appealed to the Federal Government to suspend the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) directive requiring operators to use 2020 model vehicles and above, according to The PUNCH.
In a viral video, a driver said vehicles cost N18 million and above, adding: “There is no job in the country, with what we are going through.” The protest generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users faulting the policy while others argued airport taxi operators should improve vehicle quality.
FAAN defended the policy in a June statement, saying it was introduced to improve “reliability, comfort, safety, and overall passenger satisfaction.”
The authority said consultations began in July 2024 and that operators had been granted multiple extensions, with a final compliance deadline being considered for October 2026.
Key Points:
Drivers say they cannot afford N18m+ vehicles amid economic hardship
FAAN says policy is aimed at improving service standards and passenger satisfaction
Operators have been given multiple extensions since July 2024.
Some passengers support the policy, saying current vehicles are overpriced and outdated
Drivers have appealed to President Tinubu to intervene
FAAN is considering October 2026 as the final compliance deadline. The protest highlights the tension between service standards and economic realities facing operators.