Federal Government Unveils New Measures to Combat Harassment at Nigerian Airports
The Federal government has approved measures aimed at reducing harassment faced by travelers at airports, particularly by government agencies stationed there.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced the decision on Thursday after receiving numerous complaints about the issue.
In response, a high-level meeting was held, led by Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), where the government approved far-reaching actions to improve the situation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and other terminals.
A major part of the new measures is the launch of “Operation Air Clean,” which is designed to address corrupt practices, curb illicit activities, and enhance the overall travel experience, especially during the busy holiday season as ne of the key changes includes the dissolution of joint inspection tables, which will be replaced with intelligence-based searches and individual profiling to ensure more efficient and transparent passenger screening.
Additionally, real-time screens will be installed in profiling rooms to display the names, agencies, and contact details of officers on duty, promoting accountability in the inspection process.
The government is also streamlining passenger processing by reducing checkpoints. Personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) and Immigration Service will now share counters, while Customs officers will move to the AVSEC screening points for money declarations. The new system aims to enhance the flow of passengers through the airport and reduce congestion, improving the overall experience for travelers. The new measures also include the activation of a mobile court to quickly prosecute offenders, such as touts or unauthorized staff, and the immediate shutdown of any businesses found violating airport regulations.
FAAN is also focusing on improving the physical infrastructure of airports, with better lighting in landside and concourse areas and new signs enforcing a three-minute pickup rule. The agency will introduce a regulated parking system, with charges for short- and long-term parking, and will limit the number of car-hire vehicles allowed in airport parking lots to reduce touting. These measures are part of the broader effort to eliminate harassment and enhance security and passenger comfort at Nigerian airports.
