The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has ordered the closure of KFC outlet at Lagos Airport After Customer alleges discrimination.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria issued a statement, through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, announcing the closure of the KFC outlet at the Lagos Airport. The decision was made in response to allegations of discrimination made by a customer.
Debola Daniel, a Twitter user, alleged in a series of tweets that a security guard at the KFC outlet at the Lagos Airport had refused to grant him access to the facility because he is disabled. The user claimed that the guard’s actions were discriminatory and in violation of his rights. He urged authorities to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
He wrote: “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.’”
FAAN reacted to the allegations made by Daniel, by issuing a statement that the actions of KFC were in violation of the Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs. As a result, FAAN ordered the immediate closure of the restaurant until further notice. The agency emphasized its commitment to upholding the rights of all people, regardless of their disability status.
The statement reads: “In line with Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which 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”, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed the KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.
“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku intervened swiftly 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.
“It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.
“The Authority has instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology in writing to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes 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.”
