The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is facing mounting public backlash following allegations of exorbitant pricing on its newly launched airport car-hire platform, ACHRAMS. The controversy erupted after travel content creator Chris Joondeph, known online as "Authentic Traveling," shared a TikTok video detailing his arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Joondeph revealed that an official airport car operator quoted him N30,000 for a ride to the Radisson Blu Hotel in GRA Ikeja, a short 4-to-9 kilometer journey that typically costs under N8,000. Rejecting the fare, he walked outside the terminal area and booked an inDrive ride for N6,100 instead.
The incident exposed a stark fare disparity between the authority’s official platform and existing ride-hailing services. While ACHRAMS lists city-centre trips between N10,000 and N20,000, suburban routes up to N30,000, and interstate journeys reaching N60,000, alternative services like Bolt (~N6,900), inDrive (~N6,100), and Uber (~N4,200 to N5,800) offer significantly cheaper rates for the same route. Social media users on X and TikTok quickly condemned the pricing as "exploitation" and a "rip-off," questioning how FAAN could restrict established e-hailing platforms from operating inside terminal pick-up zones while endorsing such inflated fares.
In response to the outcry, FAAN denied imposing a permanent ban on platforms like Uber and Bolt, clarifying that it remains in discussions with e-hailing companies to ensure compliant operations. The agency maintained that ACHRAMS was created to enhance passenger security and regulate ground transport rather than compete directly with private operators. However, local cab drivers have already requested meetings with FAAN to address operational flaws within the app, while travelers warn that unrealistic pricing will simply force passengers to seek alternative transport outside airport grounds.
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Aviation stakeholders have also criticized the initiative, raising broader concerns about market competition and regulatory oversight. Samuel Caulcrick, former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, questioned the silence of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, arguing that public institutions should not exploit their regulatory powers to create commercial privileges at the expense of passengers. Echoing this view, aviation analyst John Ojikutu contended that FAAN has no business running commercial taxi services in direct competition with private enterprises, urging the agency to focus on its core airport operations and pursue proper concessioning model reforms.
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