The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), a new digital platform designed to improve airport transportation services across the country. The system aims to provide safer, more organised, and cashless car hire services for passengers while improving the overall experience at Nigerian airports.
According to FAAN, ACHRAMS was created to solve long-standing problems such as poor coordination among airport taxi operators, inconsistent service quality, and security concerns for passengers. The platform also supports the Federal Government’s cashless policy by allowing registered drivers to make payments electronically through digital wallets instead of cash transactions.
The project is being implemented under a 10-year concession agreement, with Excelian Technologies Limited responsible for developing and managing the platform. FAAN will continue to supervise the system to ensure operators meet the required standards and that passengers receive quality service.
To improve traffic flow and passenger convenience, FAAN is working with airport terminal operators, including privately managed terminals such as Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2), to create designated pick-up and drop-off areas for ACHRAMS vehicles. The authority believes this will reduce congestion and improve security around airport terminals.
FAAN explained that discussions with airport car hire operators began in 2024, while a major stakeholders’ meeting was held in July 2025 to explain the benefits of the new system. The authority stressed that ACHRAMS is not designed to replace existing taxi operators but to bring them into a more organised and modern transport system.
Responding to concerns that many drivers would lose their jobs, FAAN dismissed reports claiming that over 60 percent of current airport drivers would be removed. Instead, it said all operators who meet the required standards will be allowed to continue working on the platform.
The authority also addressed rumours that only vehicles manufactured from 2020 onward would be accepted. FAAN clarified that the approved requirement is for vehicles produced in 2012 or later. This policy was first announced in 2024, and the compliance deadline has now been extended to October 1, 2026, giving operators more time to upgrade if necessary.
FAAN noted that a recent protest by some drivers was not caused by the vehicle policy but by a group of operators who refused to register on the ACHRAMS platform. Most existing airport drivers, however, have already completed registration and are taking part in the pilot programme.
The authority also confirmed that discussions are ongoing with ride-hailing companies such as Boltand Uber to integrate their services into ACHRAMS. Until the agreements are finalised, these companies will temporarily be unable to pick up passengers directly from airport terminals.
FAAN said passengers will benefit from stronger security through proper driver verification, transparent pricing that reduces overcharging, easy digital booking and payment, and better customer service from trained drivers.
The pilot phase of ACHRAMS officially began at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on July 1, 2026. FAAN says the gradual rollout will allow the system to be tested, improved, and expanded to other airports across Nigeria, with continuous training and support for operators throughout the transition.
