Car hire drivers operating at the local and international terminals of Lagos airports have raised concerns over an alleged directive by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) stipulating that only vehicles manufactured in 2020 or later will be allowed to provide airport transport services.

The drivers, who voiced their grievances in a viral video circulating on social media, described the reported policy as a serious threat to their means of livelihood, saying the cost of acquiring the approved vehicles is beyond their financial capacity.

One of the drivers claimed that a 2020-model vehicle suitable for airport operations costs about ₦18 million, making compliance with the alleged directive unrealistic for many operators.

The aggrieved drivers also alleged that the move is intended to force existing operators out of business in order to pave the way for a new fleet of vehicles owned by vested interests to take over airport taxi services.

Appealing for intervention, one of the drivers said, "Please help us so our cry can get to President Bola Tinubu. They want to push us out of business. There are no jobs in Nigeria at the moment. They want to force us out just to secure their own interests. They want to bring in their own vehicles."

As of the time of this report, FAAN had not issued an official statement confirming or responding to the allegations made by the drivers regarding the purported directive.