CHUKS OKOH
The president of the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ben Nnabue, says the union is not against technological innovation or private enterprise in airport access.
But stated that any commercial operator serving Nigeria’s airports, whether app-based or traditional, must fully integrate into FAAN’s regulatory matrix, respect airport traffic management schemes, and commit to fair labour principles.
Speaking with Our Aviation Editor in Lagos on the exit of Uber from the country, Nnabue said, they must be orderliness, safety, and equitable revenue distribution which is paramount at all aviation gateways
According to the NUATE boss, “Uber did well for Nigeria – they created jobs for our youth as drivers and they raised the standard for airport transfer. But at the airport, any operator that operates without visibility becomes a security risk. The future is not banning e-hailing”
He said the most important thing was to have dialogued with FAAN just as Bolt did and agree to an operational framework where drivers are vetted, traceable and use designated pickup points. “That is decent work and safe operations.”
He said it was primary mandate is safeguarding organized labor, enforcing operational order, and protecting the welfare of all aviation transport workers within Nigeria’s airport ecosystem.
Nnabue acknowledge that app-based transport platforms introduced convenience and price transparency for arriving air passengers at the airport.
He noted that it’s convenience cannot supersede regulatory compliance and airport security adding that uncoordinated pickup arrangements leads to severe traffic congestion around arrival halls, unauthorized curbside solicitations, and security friction with designated airport car hire associations.
Nnabue remarked that traditional airport taxi operators pay official concession fees, abide by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) regulations, and contribute directly to airport infrastructure maintenance adding that when ride-hailing drivers operate within terminal precincts without adhering to the same commercial frameworks or designated pick-up zones, it creates an unfair playing field. NUATE stands firmly against any practice that undermines organized aviation transport workers or bypasses established airport tariffs.
The NUATE boss stated that from a labour perspective, the platform economy presents significant vulnerabilities noting that e-hailing companies classify drivers as independent contractors, denying them basic labour rights, collective bargaining power, and fair profit-sharing margins amid rising fuel costs and economic pressures.
“True success in transportation is measured not just by passenger convenience, but by the dignity and fair compensation of the transport worker”
Nnabue noted that the matter is contained in the International Labour Organisation’s ( ILO) convention 193 stressing that convention, if uber controls, price, terms, client access among others, it is an employer and must bear employer responsibilities.
According to him “Even if a country allows self -employed status, uber still has due diligence responsibilities for fair pay , safety, social security and algorithmic fairness and collective rights.
“So ILO conclusion is, platforms like Uber cannot avoid responsibility by calling themselves just a tech intermediary or classifying drivers as independent contractors. Whether drivers are classified as employees or self employed, the company uber has responsibilities…. The company has responsibilities over the actions or inaction of the employees”
