The international fast food company Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has been closed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), due to discrimination against a passenger.
FAAN announced this on Thursday in a statement that was signed by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, the organization’s director of public affairs and consumer protection. The fast-food restaurant broke Lagos State statute on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination, according to the statement headed “FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA.”
The statement went on to say that the decision was in response to a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM)’s social media report alleging that he was subjected to discriminatory treatment at the airport.
The statement read, “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 based on 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.”
The victim of the maltreatment Debola Daniel, the son of former Ogun State governor Gbenga Daniel, narrated his embarrassing experience at the MMIA branch of KFC on his official X page on March 27. Daniel claims that the restaurant refused to let him and his family in, claiming that “no wheelchairs were allowed”.
“Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, ‘No Wheelchairs Allowed’,” he posted.
“She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.
“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability.”
Orah stated that before KFC reopens at MMIA, the authority has directed management to submit a formal, unconditional apology to the PRM that was impacted and to write and prominently display a policy statement that prohibits discrimination at the facility’s entrance.
In addition, the authority expressed regret to Daniel and gave everyone who uses the airport their word that they will keep working nonstop to guarantee that no passenger’s rights are violated.
