Nigeria: Why Uber Left Nigeria - Faan

What the report says

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied that it caused Uber’s departure from Nigeria, after the ride-hailing company ended its operations in the country on September 2, 2026, following 12 years of service. In comments reported by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said Uber’s exit was more likely driven by the company’s own economic and regulatory calculations.

Kuku said FAAN’s main concern was passenger safety and order at airports, not forcing any company out. She pointed to complaints received, especially around the December holiday period, about poor treatment by some e-hailing and car-hire operators, including intimidation, unwanted drop-offs and disputes over airport access. She also said FAAN had ongoing disagreements with e-hailing firms over liability rules and dedicated pickup areas.

According to the report, FAAN created the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System to improve visibility over car-hire operators and offer passengers information on routes and rates. Kuku said the authority does not collect money for drivers and does not control whether travelers choose a pre-booked car, an app-based ride or a car-hire service. The issue matters because it highlights the broader regulatory tensions around ride-hailing, airport transport rules and passenger protection in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The article also notes that these disputes reflect a wider debate over how airports should balance security, fare transparency and the independent status of drivers working through digital platforms.