Airport cab drivers have appealed to the Federal Government to suspend the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s directive requiring operators to use 2020 model vehicles and above, saying they cannot afford the new policy amid the country’s economic challenges.
The appeal followed a video shared by Objectv Media on Friday in which a driver, speaking in Yoruba, urged Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
“This is what we are facing. Nigerians should help us intervene. They said we should go and buy a vehicle from 2020 above. Vehicles that cost N18 million and above, with the way Nigeria is now,” he said.
The driver also alleged that the authority planned to introduce an app for airport taxi operations, pleading with officials to draw the President’s attention to their plight.
“There is no job in the country, with what we are going through… Pity us Nigerians. Let this go viral—Nigerians pity us, help us intervene,” he added.
The video generated mixed reactions on X, with some users faulting the policy while others argued that airport taxi operators should improve the quality of their vehicles.
An X user, #Esta43547782, wrote, “So where will the average Nigerian get money to buy a 2020 car, pay huge amount to clear it and then use it for airport taxi in this economy as we speak?”
Similarly, #NjaCoach questioned how drivers could afford vehicles estimated to cost between N20m and N30m without access to affordable loans.
However, another user, #ItsTheIroko, argued that the policy was justified, saying, “But those cars need upgrades for the prices these guys demand from customers if we are being honest. I have had to walk out of the airport a number of times so I can use regular Bolt or Indrive. Their prices are ridiculous.”
The protest comes weeks after FAAN defended its directive requiring airport cab operators to upgrade their vehicles and the increase in operational tariffs.
In a statement issued in June, the authority said the policy was introduced to improve “reliability, comfort, safety, and overall passenger satisfaction,” adding that passengers deserved “clean, roadworthy, comfortable, and professionally maintained vehicles that reflect the premium environment expected of a modern international airport.”
FAAN also said consultations on the vehicle upgrade policy began in July 2024 and that operators had been granted multiple extensions, with a final compliance deadline being considered for October 2026. It maintained that the directive was aimed at raising service standards rather than punishing operators.
Airport cab drivers have appealed to the Federal Government to suspend the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s directive requiring operators to use 2020 model.