The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) shut down the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos over the alleged discriminatory treatment of Adebola Daniel, a passenger with reduced movement, on Thursday, March 27, 2024.
This was made known in a statement issued by the FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.
The victim, Adebola is the son of a former governor of Ogun State and a serving Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
He recounted his experience at the KFC outlet at the Lagos airport via a series of tweets on his X account on Wednesday, March 27.
Daniel, a wheelchair user, described his ordeal as “the worst sort of public humiliation” he ever had
However, Orah said the closure would be effective March 28 in line with the Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.
Orah said the law states that “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.”
She noted that closure was a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Lagos airport.
Orah, who said the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, intervened, stated that the latter swiftly deployed a management team to investigate the allegation.
Orah said it was based on the findings of the team that FAAN shut down the facility where the incident occurred.
She stated that the Authority had instructed the KFC management to tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected passenger.
The FAAN spokesperson noted that a policy statement of non-discrimination was directed to be written and posted conspicuously at the door post of the KFC facility at Lagos airport before it resumes operation.
“FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected PRM and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon,” Orah added.
