Discrimination: FAAN Closes KFC Outlet At Lagos Airport

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has with immediate effect, closed down KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

A statement by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director, Pub­lic Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, said that this was in connection with the discriminatory treatment received by a passenger with reduced mobility (PRM) at the airport on Wednesday from the outlet.

The statement said that the closing down of the company was in line with Lagos State law on people with special needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Dis­crimination.

The law states, “A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that mem­bers of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person.”

The statement hinted that when Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director, FAAN, learnt of the issue, she immediately intervened by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consum­er Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah; the Regional Manager, South West, Mr. Sunday Ayo­dele; Ag. General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo, and the Inter­national Terminal Manager, Mr. Kerri, to investigate the allegation of discrimination against the physically chal­lenged traveller.

Orah emphasised that the shutting down of the facility at the MMIA where the inci­dent occurred was based on the findings of the team de­ployed by FAAN to carry out investigation into the matter.

FAAN also directed the KFC management to tender an unreserved apology in writing to the affected PRM and a pol­icy statement of non-discrim­ination written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at the airport before it would be allowed to resume operation.

“FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected pas­senger with reduced mobili­ty and assures all airport us­ers that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon,” the statement said.

The PRM at the centre of the matter was Debola Daniel, son of former Ogun State gov­ernor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

It was learnt that the epi­sode unfolded at the Murtala Muhammed branch in Lagos, where Daniel was reportedly singled out and informed, “No wheelchairs allowed” by the restaurant manager.

Taking to the X platform, Daniel shared his distressing experience, detailing the hu­miliation he endured at the hands of KFC staff.

In the statement, he lamented the systemic dis­crimination faced by disabled individuals in Nigeria, high­lighting the need for societal change and inclusivity.

He wrote: “Being disabled often rolls over my spirit, leav­ing behind a trail of shattered dignity and forgotten human­ity. Nowhere more so than in Nigeria.

“Never has this been more true than it has ever been to­day where I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand @ kfc @kfcnigeria at an interna­tional airport – Murtala Mu­hammed Airport, Lagos – is unthinkable.

“I arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlan­tic flight to London. I’m a fre­quent flyer and I’m extremely familiar with all due process­es at Murtala Muhammed Airport. Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities have been com­pleted I would normally go to the OASIS lounge to wait for my flight.

“For the past 3 years, the lift to the lounge has been out of service so I’ve often found solace in other establish­ments, sometimes lounges, sometimes restaurants such as @kfc @kfcnigeria.

“Today I chose KFC – what a colossal mistake. I entered the restaurant with 4 other travel companions consist­ing of my brothers and wife. The security personnel at KFC, Samuel, greeted me by name as I’ve been there mul­tiple times. Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, “NO WHEELCHAIRS AL­LOWED”.

“Our group paused in con­fusion, before my brother, Taiwo, asked what she meant. She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at @ kfc @kfcnigeria Murtala Mu­hammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not per­mitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.

“My siblings and wife became instantly irate and proceeded to debate her po­sition with her, ultimately cumulating in raised voices and strong verbal protests. If there’s one thing I hate more than anything in this life is to create a scene. I detest it. I do not like to draw attention to myself and as such I began pleading with my people that we should just leave.

“My wife took some video footage and my brothers took some pictures. There were at least 5 other witnesses at the scene, who tried to intervene as things unfolded. Eventual­ly our party departed to an­other lounge upset and quite frankly pissed off.”