The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken decisive action by closing down a branch of the popular food outlet, KFC, located at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos State.
This move follows allegations of discriminatory treatment reported by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM).
In a statement issued on Thursday by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, it was disclosed that the closure was in response to violations of Lagos State laws regarding People with Special Needs. The incident came to light after a PRM shared his experience on social media, detailing the discrimination they faced at the airport.
According to FAAN’s statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, promptly initiated an investigation into the matter. A management team, led by Mrs. Orah, was deployed to conduct the investigation. As a result of their findings, FAAN made the decision to close the KFC facility at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, effective from March 28, 2024.
Furthermore, FAAN has instructed KFC management to issue a written apology to the affected PRM and to visibly display a policy statement of non-discrimination at their MMIA branch before resuming operations.
The victim of the discriminatory treatment, Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, recounted his distressing experience at the KFC outlet in a series of tweets. Daniel, a wheelchair user, described the incident as a “colossal mistake” and highlighted the humiliation he endured.
In response to the allegations, KFC expressed regret for the incident and pledged to undertake immediate action. The food outlet acknowledged the need for sensitivity training for its employees and emphasized its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all customers.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, condemned the discriminatory behavior and urged individuals who have faced similar discrimination to report such incidents.
The closure of the KFC outlet at Lagos Airport underscores the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their disabilities.
