The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is facing criticism over the cost of its newly introduced airport car-hire service.
The controversy followed a viral video showing a passenger being quoted N30,000 for a trip from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to Ikeja.
Travel content creator Chris Joondeph, popularly known as “Authentic Traveling”, shared his experience on TikTok.
He said an airport car-hire operator quoted N30,000 for a ride to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja.
“Radisson, that’s in GRA Ikeja. It’s just N30,000,” the operator reportedly told him.
Joondeph questioned the price and said similar trips previously cost him no more than N8,000.
He eventually left the airport and booked an alternative ride-hailing service.
“I just ordered an inDrive, which was the first one to come. So he’s a couple of minutes away, and it is N6,100 that I’m going to pay to get home,” he said.
Huge Difference in Fares
A comparison of fares showed a wide gap between ACHRAMS and other ride-hailing platforms.
ACHRAMS, the airport’s new car-hire platform, lists trips from the airport to the city centre at between N10,000 and N20,000.
Trips to suburbs cost between N20,000 and N30,000, while interstate journeys range from N30,000 to N60,000.
For the same airport-to-Radisson Blu journey, Bolt listed a fare of N6,900.
Uber showed N4,200 for UberX and N5,800 for its Priority option.
Discussions with airport users also showed concerns about the higher fares on the new platform.
Passengers Criticise Pricing
The fare has triggered criticism on social media.
An X user, #Captainbee, described the N30,000 charge as “exploitation”.
Another user, Aziegen (Igba Aje), questioned how a relatively short trip from the airport to Ikeja GRA could cost so much.
“How can a taxi ride from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Radisson Hotel in Ikeja GRA, a journey of roughly 4-9 km depending on the route, typically less than 20 minutes, cost N30,000?” the user asked.
FAAN Explains ACHRAMS Introduction
FAAN recently introduced ACHRAMS as part of efforts to improve passenger security and comfort.
Following the launch, the authority initially barred other e-hailing drivers from operating at the airport.
FAAN later denied imposing a blanket ban on Uber, Bolt and other e-hailing platforms.
The authority said it was engaging the companies on compliant operations within airport premises.
FAAN also said ACHRAMS was designed to regulate airport car-hire operations.
It stressed that the platform was “not intended to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform.”
Stakeholders Question FAAN’s Role
Former Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation, Samuel Caulcrick, said the controversy goes beyond the cost of a taxi ride.
He questioned the role of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in protecting passengers.
“Where is our FCCPC? If an organisation can ban Uber and Bolt to favour its own interests, ignoring the passengers who sustain the entire aviation industry, then who safeguards the public interest?” Caulcrick asked.
He said competition laws should protect consumers from practices that put institutional interests ahead of the public.
Another aviation expert, John Ojikutu, argued that FAAN should not operate commercial transportation services in competition with private businesses.
“FAAN, a government public agency, has no business in commercial businesses,” Ojikutu said.
He also criticised the authority for pursuing revenue-generating activities instead of focusing on its core responsibilities.
Ojikutu recalled previous efforts to improve transportation between the airport terminals, saying such initiatives faced resistance from airport transport operators and FAAN’s commercial department.
Efforts to get FAAN spokesperson Henry Agbebire’s response were unsuccessful. He did not answer calls or respond to messages seeking clarification on the fare controversy.
