The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders to improve accessibility at airports across the country for persons with disabilities and elderly travellers.
The commitment was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Terminal C of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, under Project Elevate: The National Aviation Accessibility Initiative, a research project led by Comrade Abidoun Ozurumba. The initiative is designed to assess the current state of accessibility within Nigeria’s aviation sector by identifying barriers, evaluating progress made and developing practical recommendations to strengthen compliance with accessibility standards.
Speaking at the meeting, members of the Project Elevate research team underscored the importance of working closely with FAAN and other aviation stakeholders to create an inclusive airport environment where persons with disabilities and elderly passengers can travel safely, independently and with dignity. They noted that the team is also engaging the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to promote stronger compliance with accessibility regulations across the aviation industry.
The meeting attracted disability rights advocates, including Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Consultant to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, former Chairperson of the Nigerian Deaf Association, Lagos State Chapter. The advocates shared their experiences navigating airport facilities and called for improved infrastructure, better communication systems and more disability-friendly services to enhance the travel experience of passengers with disabilities.
A representative of the Director of Compliance and Enforcement at the NCPWD, Barrister Ikem Uchegbulam, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enforcing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act. The representative said the Commission remains focused on promoting accessibility in public buildings, transportation, employment and other essential public services, including airport facilities.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by the Head of Operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Nanloh Nuhu, his Technical Adviser, Usman AbdulSalam, and other aviation officials. Participants agreed that future engagements should involve more stakeholders across the aviation sector to consolidate ongoing efforts aimed at eliminating barriers and ensuring a more inclusive, accessible and passenger-friendly airport system across Nigeria.
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