By Osaretin Osadebamwen
People with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria may soon experience more inclusive and accessible air travel as aviation stakeholders intensify efforts to address long-standing barriers across the country’s airports.
The commitment was reaffirmed
at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting between the Project Elevate: National Aviation Accessibility Initiative and officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The meeting, held recently at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, reviewed findings from an earlier accessibility assessment and discussions held on July 1.
Leading the Project Elevate delegation, Comrade Abiodun Ozurumba, commended FAAN’s management for engaging disability advocates while drawing attention to persistent accessibility challenges.
She cited inadequate support from some airport ground handlers, non-functional elevators in certain terminals, excessively steep ramps that hinder mobility for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRMs), and the absence of communication support for Deaf passengers.
A World Bank accessibility consultant and member of the blind community, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, shared his personal experience of being left beneath an aircraft for nearly 30 minutes despite being a priority passenger. He lamented what he described as discriminatory treatment by some airlines, noting that carriers often insist he must travel with an aide despite his ability to travel independently, including on international flights.
Dr. Adebayo urged FAAN to collaborate on producing an accessibility handbook outlining the rights of persons with disabilities, airport support services, and procedures for accessing available assistance. He also advocated the introduction of official disability identification cards by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to curb impersonation and ensure genuine beneficiaries receive appropriate support.
Architect Ismail Muhammed, representing the Deaf community, highlighted communication barriers that continue to affect Deaf travellers. According to him, many passengers have missed scheduled flights because important boarding and travel announcements are delivered solely through public address systems without visual or sign language interpretation. He called for interpreters and visual information systems to complement audio announcements.
Responding to the concerns, representatives of airport ground handling companies outlined measures already introduced to improve accessibility. Oladimeji Sheriff of Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited (PAHCOL) said designated drop-off points, trolley services, expedited Customs and Immigration processing, automated entrance doors, and newly acquired cabin wheelchairs capable of accommodating passengers weighing up to 300 pounds are already in operation.
Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC representative, Yahaya Hadi, disclosed that four staircase climbers have been deployed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to assist passengers with mobility challenges in boarding aircraft. He also proposed a coordinated information-sharing platform between airlines and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to enable airport personnel prepare adequately for travellers requiring special assistance.
The Domestic Terminal Manager at the airport, Bashir Amir, assured participants that newly installed elevators and escalators are fully operational. He added that two accessible toilets have already been completed for persons with disabilities, while construction of additional facilities, including one outside Terminal D, is progressing.
As an immediate intervention, Fantastic Bibi announced that Project Elevate would donate a 70-inch television screen to FAAN for installation at a strategic location within the terminal. The display will provide visual travel information for Deaf passengers, helping bridge the communication gap experienced during airport operations.
The meeting, chaired by FAAN’s Head of Operations, Peter Nuhu, concluded with renewed commitment from both aviation stakeholders and disability advocates to strengthen collaboration and create a more inclusive, accessible and passenger-friendly aviation system for all Nigerians.
People with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria may soon experience more inclusive and accessible air travel as aviation stakeholders intensify efforts to address long-standing barriers across the country’s airports.
The commitment was reaffirmed during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting between the Project Elevate: National Aviation Accessibility Initiative and officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The meeting, held recently at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, reviewed findings from an earlier accessibility assessment and discussions held on July 1.
Leading the Project Elevate delegation, Comrade Abiodun Ozurumba, commended FAAN’s management for engaging disability advocates while drawing attention to persistent accessibility challenges.
She cited inadequate support from some airport ground handlers, non-functional elevators in certain terminals, excessively steep ramps that hinder mobility for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRMs), and the absence of communication support for Deaf passengers.
A World Bank accessibility consultant and member of the blind community, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, shared his personal experience of being left beneath an aircraft for nearly 30 minutes despite being a priority passenger. He lamented what he described as discriminatory treatment by some airlines, noting that carriers often insist he must travel with an aide despite his ability to travel independently, including on international flights.
Dr. Adebayo urged FAAN to collaborate on producing an accessibility handbook outlining the rights of persons with disabilities, airport support services, and procedures for accessing available assistance. He also advocated the introduction of official disability identification cards by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to curb impersonation and ensure genuine beneficiaries receive appropriate support.
Architect Ismail Muhammed, representing the Deaf community, highlighted communication barriers that continue to affect Deaf travellers. According to him, many passengers have missed scheduled flights because important boarding and travel announcements are delivered solely through public address systems without visual or sign language interpretation. He called for interpreters and visual information systems to complement audio announcements.
Responding to the concerns, representatives of airport ground handling companies outlined measures already introduced to improve accessibility. Oladimeji Sheriff of Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited (PAHCOL) said designated drop-off points, trolley services, expedited Customs and Immigration processing, automated entrance doors, and newly acquired cabin wheelchairs capable of accommodating passengers weighing up to 300 pounds are already in operation.
Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC representative, Yahaya Hadi, disclosed that four staircase climbers have been deployed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to assist passengers with mobility challenges in boarding aircraft. He also proposed a coordinated information-sharing platform between airlines and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to enable airport personnel prepare adequately for travellers requiring special assistance.
The Domestic Terminal Manager at the airport, Bashir Amir, assured participants that newly installed elevators and escalators are fully operational. He added that two accessible toilets have already been completed for persons with disabilities, while construction of additional facilities, including one outside Terminal D, is progressing.
As an immediate intervention, Fantastic Bibi announced that Project Elevate would donate a 70-inch television screen to FAAN for installation at a strategic location within the terminal. The display will provide visual travel information for Deaf passengers, helping bridge the communication gap experienced during airport operations.
The meeting, chaired by FAAN’s Head of Operations, Peter Nuhu, concluded with renewed commitment from both aviation stakeholders and disability advocates to strengthen collaboration and create a more inclusive, accessible and passenger-friendly aviation system for all Nigerians.
