How the Abuja airport ban and strike threat will hit drivers and riders
Bolt and Uber are fighting back the temporary suspension imposed on the e-hailing drivers at Abuja International Airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) with an indefinite strike. According to TechNext, a statement signed by the Acting Chairman of the Abuja Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Evans Agada, unveiled the strike threat.
What happened is that FAAN temporarily banned both Bolt and Uber in July 2026 from pickup operations across all its managed international airports so as to give room to complete a pending concession agreement. This same dispute has fueled driver unrest for years over parking fees, branded uniforms, and access restrictions.
The authority said the suspension is not permanent but an interim step while agreements with Uber and Bolt are finalized under a new framework. All international airports across Nigeria are affected by the FAAN's decision but only Abuja union is threatening with an indefinite strike.
The union and the e-hailing drivers are seeking answers to why their hustling must bear the consequences that concern the app companies. The union claims that drivers are law-abiding and tax-paying citizens of Nigeria who contribute to the economy and government revenue through taxes and other charges associated with their operations.
Still, when problems threaten how they earn a living, drivers often feel nobody is really listening. In fact, the consequences could be significant, because the airport is a major source of ride-hailing demand in Abuja. Not only for drivers, but also for consumers too. A recent report says passengers are already experiencing vehicle shortages and higher transport costs.
Impact of the ban and potential effects of the strike
Drivers
The drivers are the ones that take the biggest hits in this case because their immediate source of income has been placed on temporary stop. Airport runs are high-value trips, and drivers who invested in vehicle upgrades, uniforms, or biometric/security clearances to qualify for airport access lose that revenue stream overnight.
The drivers have demanded a clear and workable arrangement that will allow them to serve airport passengers without any restrictions and in an orderly manner from FAAN. But as FAAN stands on its ground that without a duly executed agreement, not operator will be permitted to carry out commercial activities within airport premises, thr drivers are also proposing to embark on an indefinite strike.
This adds to existing driver's underlying problem (low base fares, high commissions, fuel and maintenance costs) which are bigger than the airport itselt. These existing grievances have already pushed AUATON-affiliated drivers in Abuja to threaten multi-day strikes earlier this year. They have previously complained about fares and working conditions, and about 1,500 Uber, Bolt and inDrive drivers were reported as threatening industrial action. So, if the strike is successfully implemented, it would add to existing disputes.
Riders
Riders are left with pricier options at the airport. As the ban is still ongoing, travellers are forced to use alternative transport services, including airport taxis or competing ride-hailing platforms if they remain authorised to operate. If Uber and Bolt drivers add a full strike on top of the airport suspension, disruption could spread beyond the airport to city-wide ride-hailing availability, and that will could have impact in the economy.
