The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has denied responsibility for Uber’s exit from Nigeria, saying the ride-hailing company’s decision was based on its own economic and regulatory considerations.

FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, said the authority had received complaints about the conduct of some e-hailing and car-hire services operating at airports, particularly during the December holiday period.

She said passengers reported cases of intimidation, being dropped at unintended locations and other poor experiences involving some drivers.

Kuku said FAAN also discovered instances where some Uber and Bolt drivers allegedly joined car-hire operators at airports and charged passengers higher fares.

She said the complaints prompted FAAN to introduce regulatory oversight for car-hire services, including the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, which allows passengers to identify the companies and drivers operating within the airport.

Kuku stressed that FAAN does not collect money on behalf of the car-hire drivers and does not operate the services.

She said FAAN’s disagreement with e-hailing companies also centred on liability, particularly the responsibility for drivers operating on their platforms.

According to her, the companies requested dedicated airport pick-up zones, which FAAN agreed to provide, but the authority wanted them to accept responsibility for their drivers.

She said the companies maintained that the drivers were independent contractors rather than their employees, creating a major disagreement over passenger safety and accountability.

Uber ended its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria on September 2, 2026, after 12 years in the country. FAAN said it could not determine the specific reasons behind the company’s departure.