In a bold move aimed at combating corruption and improving passenger experience during the busy Yuletide season, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disbanded the joint inspection tables at international airports.
The initiative, approved on Wednesday, seeks to address long-standing complaints of harassment and delays caused by overlapping functions of various security agencies.
Keyamo, in a post on X, emphasized the urgency of the decision:
“Yesterday, I approved some far-reaching measures by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) aimed at curbing the menace of harassment of travellers by various agencies of government stationed at our international airports.
We have received too many complaints, and it is time to act decisively!”
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), led by Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, introduced the measure under a new initiative tagged Operation AirClean. The FAAN MD called on stakeholders and the general public to support the initiative, stating that it would foster a safer and more efficient airport environment.
In a position paper endorsed by the minister, Kuku noted that the transition to intelligence-based technology would replace physical checks and searches, often criticized as excessive and counterproductive. “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is unwavering in its commitment to achieving world-class standards in service delivery, security, and passenger satisfaction,” the paper stated.
Key components of the reform include:
•The elimination of joint inspection tables.
•Intelligence-based searches using scanners and individual profiling.
•Development of dedicated areas for camera-based passenger observation.
•Shared counters for Department of State Services (DSS) and Immigration personnel to reduce outbound passenger checkpoints.
Additionally, the Nigeria Customs Service will relocate its operations to the Aviation Security point for money declarations.
This reform follows an emergency high-level meeting involving FAAN directors, security heads, and the HQ Taskforce. Kuku stressed that these measures are designed to “eliminate corrupt practices, curb illicit activities, and enhance the travel experience, particularly during the high-volume end-of-year travel season.”
With this decisive step, Keyamo and FAAN aim to transform Nigeria’s airports into more passenger-friendly and secure hubs, setting a new standard for the nation’s aviation industry.
