The authority also dismissed claims circulating among airport drivers that the initiative would force thousands of operators out of business, require only newer vehicles or ban popular ride-hailing platforms from airport operations.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, FAAN's Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms Adebola Agunbiade, said the app-based system forms part of the agency's broader effort to modernise airport ground transportation while aligning with the Federal Government's cashless policy.
According to her, ACHRAMS was introduced to address long-standing challenges in airport transport services, including poor coordination, inconsistent service quality and security concerns affecting both passengers and operators.
"The Airport Car Hire Rank Management System is a transformative initiative by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, aimed at modernising and streamlining airport ground transportation nationwide," she said.
Agunbiade explained that the platform would provide a centralised, technology-driven system capable of delivering safer, more reliable and more convenient transport services for airport users while improving revenue collection through cashless transactions.
She noted that every registered driver would operate through a digital wallet system instead of making cash payments to the authority, adding that the arrangement would significantly improve accountability and revenue generation.
Concession model
According to Agunbiade, ACHRAMS is being implemented under a 10-year concession agreement, with Messrs Excelian Technologies Limited responsible for developing and managing the application.
She explained that FAAN's role would remain regulatory, ensuring compliance with operational standards while protecting the interests of both passengers and transport operators.
She stressed that existing airport car hire operators remain central to the initiative and are expected to benefit from the new digital platform rather than be replaced by ride-hailing companies.
To ensure smooth implementation across airports, including privately operated terminals such as MMA2, FAAN is collaborating with terminal operators to establish designated pick-up and drop-off points that will reduce congestion and improve passenger safety.
Agunbiade added that consultations with stakeholders began in 2024, while representatives of car hire operators across FAAN-managed airports attended another engagement session on July 2, 2025, where the objectives and benefits of ACHRAMS were explained.
Existing drivers won't be displaced
Responding to concerns raised by airport taxi operators, Agunbiade maintained that the authority has no plans to replace existing drivers with new companies.
"We understand the concerns of commercial and informal taxi operators whose livelihoods depend on airport passengers," she said.
She explained that structured transition programmes and sensitisation campaigns are being implemented to help operators migrate to the digital platform and improve their service delivery.
"The intention of the Authority is to register as many car hire operators as possible. Contrary to some negative reports being circulated that the Airport intends to remove over 60 per cent of the existing drivers and bring in new companies, it is noteworthy that ACHRAMS is not intended to displace any car hire operator."
Passenger benefits
Agunbiade said airport users stand to benefit significantly from the initiative through enhanced security, transparent fares, improved convenience and higher service standards.
According to her, the platform will introduce stricter screening of drivers and vehicles, regulated pick-up points, digital trip tracking and easier payment systems, reducing incidents of fare exploitation while improving passenger confidence.
Clarifies vehicle requirement
The FAAN director also addressed claims that only vehicles manufactured from 2020 onward would be allowed to operate at airports under the new system.
She described the allegation as false, explaining that the authority only requires registered operators to use vehicles manufactured in 2012 or later.
"It is incorrect to say that FAAN asked drivers to change their vehicles to a minimum of the 2020 model because of the introduction of ACHRAMS," she said.
According to her, the policy was communicated to operators as far back as 2024, with the original compliance deadline of January 1, 2026, later extended to June 2026 and subsequently shifted again to October 1, 2026.
She further explained that almost all existing drivers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport had already been cleared to operate on the platform, except members of two companies whose union reportedly instructed them to develop separate applications instead of joining ACHRAMS.
"The intention is to clear all drivers, provided they comply with the laid-down standards," she added.
Uber, Bolt to be integrated
Agunbiade also dismissed reports suggesting that FAAN intends to prohibit ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Bolt from operating at airports.
Instead, she disclosed that discussions with both companies are nearing completion and would allow them to integrate their platforms into ACHRAMS.
"Regarding the claims by some e-hailing drivers that FAAN will stop them from entering the airport because of ACHRAMS, it is also noteworthy that the Authority is on the verge of concluding agreements with Bolt and Uber, which will enable them to operate at the airport," she said.
She explained, however, that until those agreements are formally signed, the companies currently do not have legal authorisation to pick up passengers from airport premises and their operations would remain temporarily suspended.
Pilot rollout underway
The pilot phase of ACHRAMS officially commenced at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on July 1, 2026.
According to Agunbiade, the phased rollout is intended to allow FAAN and its partners to evaluate the platform, address operational challenges and improve the system based on feedback from passengers and operators before wider implementation across the country's airports.
She added that the pilot programme is already receiving strong support from most existing airport drivers, who are cooperating with the authority to ensure the application functions effectively as preparations continue for full nationwide deployment.