Aviation
THE Disability Advocate Team has commended the management of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and others for progress made in consideration of persons with disabilities in the Airport.
The team gave the commendation during an engagements between FAAN, disability advocates and other aviation stakeholders.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Team lead, Mr Abiodun Ozurumba of Project Elevate and Dr Chike Okogwu, a Disability Inclusion Advocate on Wednesday in Abuja.
They said FAAN and others have continued to engage with disability advocates and stakeholders on how the system can become better. That willingness to listen, engage and improve deserves recognition.
According to them, accessibility is not something that can be achieved by installing a ramp or providing a wheelchair and declaring victory.
They further explained that true accessibility means that a passenger with a disability can move through the entire airport journey safely, independently and with dignity.
“From arriving at the airport and parking or being dropped off, through check-in, security, boarding and disembarkation, to baggage collection and leaving the terminal.
“This is why the emerging conversation around Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRMs), alongside Persons with Disabilities is so important.
“FAAN deserves credit for progress. It would be unfair to discuss airport accessibility only through the lens of what remains deficient without acknowledging what has changed.
“In August 2025, FAAN announced enhanced wheelchair and special assistance services for passengers with disabilities, elderly travellers and others requiring mobility support.
“The service was designed to cover the passenger journey from check-in through boarding and also upon arrival.
“There have also been reports of improved responsiveness to travellers with reduced mobility, including dedicated assistance channels at major international airports,” they said.
“We are not where we want to be yet but we are definitely not where we used to be. That distinction matters”.
They stressed that, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 established protections against discrimination and provides a framework for the inclusion of persons with disabilities
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has the responsibility for promoting, protecting and enforcing these rights.
The Persons with Disabilities (Accessibility) Regulations, 2023 further provide an important regulatory framework for accessibility and were formally gazetted by the Federal Government.
The challenge now is to move from laws and regulations to consistent lived experience
“However, the next phase of Nigeria’s aviation accessibility journey must concentrate on reliability,
equipment must be available, maintained and staff must know how to use it.
“Assistance must be coordinated, passenger requests must be communicated across the relevant service chain and there must be clear accountability when the system fails; passenger must be at the centre,” they said.
FAAN. he said, must continue leading and ensuring that airlines fulfil their responsibilities.
“Constructive advocacy is not about attacking every institution that has shortcomings.
It is about identifying barriers, recognising progress, demanding accountability and working with institutions to achieve better outcomes.
“FAAN, NCAA, Airlines and handlers all deserve appreciation for the steps they have taken and perhaps more importantly, for its demonstrated willingness to continue engaging stakeholders.
(NAN)
M.P
Tags: Advocacy Team