Nigeria’s aviation regulator has defended a sharp increase in airport taxi fees and warned operators that a final deadline to upgrade their vehicles is looming.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) issued the clarification following growing protests from the Association of Private Cab Operators over new vehicle standards and increased operational tariffs at the nation’s airports.
Under the new directive, the flat operational tariff for airport taxis will rise from ₦500 to ₦1,500.
FAAN insisted the adjustment is far from arbitrary, noting that the previous ₦500 fee had been frozen for more than eight years despite severe inflationary pressures, soaring maintenance expenses, and a rising cost of doing business. The regulator stated the extra revenue is critical to sustaining airport infrastructure.
Alongside the price hike, the authority is enforcing a strict policy requiring operators to upgrade to newer vehicle models to ensure passenger safety, comfort, and reliability.
Responding to complaints about the timeline, FAAN revealed it is considering a final grace period extension until October 2026 to allow drivers to comply.
The upgrade policy was first introduced in July 2024, with the compliance deadline pushed back multiple times from January 2026 to June 2026 to accommodate prevailing economic hardships. The regulator warned that no further extensions will be entertained beyond the proposed October cutoff.
FAAN also addressed friction with transport unions, clarifying that its contractual relationship exists solely with registered corporate cab companies rather than the associations acting on their behalf.
The authority maintained that the measures are not intended to penalise drivers but are necessary to ensure that transport links reflect the standards expected of a modern international gateway.
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