By James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA
There is growing concern over the repeated acts of shame playing out in Nigeria’s airspace, incidents that could easily be mistaken for poorly scripted Nollywood scenes. These are the result of poor crisis management by aviation security personnel and airline crew, both on board and during boarding.
We live in a global community where a single cellphone video can transmit information across the world in seconds. Yet, the unconventional and unimaginable continues to occur in this elite-dominated space. What a shame.
The history of recurring incidents should tell aviation officials that something is missing, a gap in handling situations that turn supposed pleasure trips into violent and chaotic episodes, often due to a lack of emotional intelligence.
As an advocate and strategic communicator, I believe the Ministry of Aviation must embark on a mass awareness campaign to address the uncultured attitudes and poor social orientation displayed by aviation security staff, airline managers, and crew members. This should happen both before boarding and during flights to save the nation from this now routine embarrassment.
The Ministry should educate airline owners, managers, staff, aviation ministry personnel, security staff, and ground-handling teams to maintain discipline, calmness, sensitivity, compassion, friendliness, and above all, hospitality. They deal with individuals from different backgrounds and emotional states, requiring the emotional intelligence and steady composure of a surgeon in the operating theatre.
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Beyond sanctions and fines, the aviation industry needs a national workshop to tackle the dramas and chaos that tarnish Nigeria’s image and erode airline standards.
On a foreign flight, I once witnessed an air hostess approach a passenger in a less-than-friendly manner. The passenger’s outfit was unconventional, perhaps inappropriate, but other passengers intervened, not with aggression, to advise the hostess to remain calm and friendly. Her good intention of offering a cover cloth was preserved, and the passenger accepted it without incident. That is emotional intelligence at work, not yelling, bullying, fighting, tearing clothes, blocking passages, or engaging in uncivilized acts.
We have seen cases in Nigeria: from Adams Oshiomhole’s experience with an airline, to that of musician K1 De Ultimate, and to a woman whose clothing was torn, exposing her. These are not just disciplinary matters; they are psychological. Nigerians deserve a sane, courteous airline experience, especially after paying a premium. Being an elite does not give anyone immunity from discipline, and operators must be taught to manage situations with dignity.
Minister Festus Keyamo, the time has come for a diplomatic approach. A precedent was set when a similar incident happened to a lawmaker and nothing was done. What is good for one should be good for all. Your intervention should include stern warnings and ethical training, not just detentions, as fundamental human rights are at stake.
The aviation industry needs a clear ethical code that goes beyond embarkation and disembarkation rules, prison detentions, or lifetime bans. What if a banned individual has a life-or-death emergency that requires air travel? This is a call for reform, urgent, structured, and humane.