FAAN chief Olubunmi Kuku clarified that airport safety rules did not force Uber to exit Nigeria on September 2.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has publicly cleared the air regarding rumors that its strict airport rules forced the popular ride hailing company, Uber, to stop operating in Nigeria.
The important clarification was made by the Managing Director of the airport authority, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, while speaking with news journalists on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The public statement came just two days after Uber officially ended its 12 year ride services across Nigeria on September 2, 2026.
Travel experts, airport workers, passengers, and driver unions had been arguing online about whether heavy airport restrictions caused the tech company to pack up and leave.
However, the leadership of the airport authority firmly explained that their safety guidelines were created solely to protect travelers from bad treatment, harassment, and extra high charges from unregistered drivers inside airport gates.
The main reason why the airport authority set up new guidelines for app drivers was to protect air passengers from security risks and bad driver behavior.
During the busy December holiday period, many arriving passengers reported scary experiences where some drivers intimidated them, demanded extra money outside the app, or dropped them at the wrong places.
Additionally, some app drivers were turning off their phones inside the airport premises to join local car hire groups so they could charge travelers much higher prices.
To fix these problems, the airport authority asked app companies like Uber and Bolt to sign proper security agreements and take full responsibility for any driver using their app to carry passengers from the airport.
While Uber chose to leave the country based on its own global business plans, other ride companies agreed to follow the rules, allowing their drivers to keep picking up passengers safely at airports.
Airport officials reassured all travelers that they are free to choose any safe transport method they prefer when leaving or coming into Nigerian airports.
Setting the record straight on the matter, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria explained that Uber made its own choice based on corporate plans.
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Explaining the situation directly to reporters, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku stated that “I can’t speak to their exit from Nigeria. I am sure they have their own economic and regulatory decisions as to why they choose to exit. But a couple of things are very clear. What was important for FAAN is to ensure that we addressed passenger concerns.”
Addressing the main point of disagreement between the airport authority and app companies, the airport chief pointed out issues surrounding driver safety accountability.
Emphasizing the need to protect passengers, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku added that “one of the issues we were struggling with the e-hailing companies over was largely around liability clauses. But we also wanted them to take responsibility for the drivers. However, we were told that those drivers are not Uber’s drivers; rather, they are independent drivers. So, with regard to any safety concerns we raised, they wanted passengers to use the safety features available on their platforms. They did not want to take on that responsibility, and we had a major issue with that.” Uber’s exit was linked to its own Africa business focus and not airport ban directives.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
