The Federal Government has taken steps to address the harassment of travelers at Nigeria’s international airports with the approval of new measures by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN).
On Thursday, Keyamo announced the launch of “Operation Air Clean,” an initiative designed to eliminate corrupt practices and improve service delivery at Nigerian airports.
This follows a rise in complaints from passengers about the treatment they face while traveling.
Key reforms at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) include the dissolution of joint inspection tables, which will be replaced with intelligence-driven searches and advanced scanners for quicker security checks.
Passenger processing will also be streamlined by consolidating checkpoints, with officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and Immigration Service sharing counters to reduce congestion.
In addition, mobile courts will be set up to expedite the prosecution of offenders, particularly touts, and a strict zero-tolerance policy will be enforced against unauthorized activities by Bureau de Change operators and car-hire personnel.
Further improvements will be made to airport infrastructure, such as better lighting, clearer signage, free Wi-Fi for passengers, and designated meet-and-greet areas.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, called on all stakeholders and the public to support “Operation Air Clean,” emphasizing that collaboration is crucial to creating a safer and more efficient airport environment for everyone.
