The Federal Government has initiated a comprehensive strategy to tackle the harassment of travelers at Nigeria’s international airports. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has approved a series of measures by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) aimed at addressing this growing issue.

In a post on X on Thursday, Keyamo unveiled “Operation Air Clean,” an initiative focused on eliminating corrupt practices and improving service delivery at Nigerian airports. The move comes in response to a surge in passenger complaints regarding harassment by various government agencies operating at the airports.

NEW INITIATIVES TO TRANSFORM NIGERIAN AIRPORTS! ✈️

The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (@fkeyamo), SAN, has unveiled bold measures to elevate service delivery and cleanliness at airports across Nigeria.

Here’s what’s coming:

🔹 Special… pic.twitter.com/WQIIl9bx1u

— Iyalaya (@lollylarry1) November 21, 2024

As part of reforms at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the government will dismantle joint inspection tables and replace them with more efficient, intelligence-driven security measures, including advanced scanners. These new procedures are designed to speed up security checks while maintaining high standards of safety.

Passenger processing will also be streamlined. By consolidating various checkpoints, officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Immigration Service will be able to share counters, reducing congestion and improving the flow of travelers through the airport.

Keyamo also approved the introduction of mobile courts aimed at expediting the prosecution of offenders, particularly touts who often harass travelers. A strict zero-tolerance policy will also be enforced against Bureau de Change operators and car-hire personnel involved in unauthorized or illegal activities, further tightening regulations around these services.

In addition to these reforms, FAAN plans to enhance passenger experience by upgrading airport facilities. This includes better lighting, clearer signage, free Wi-Fi access for travelers, and designated meet-and-greet areas to improve both comfort and accessibility at the airports. These changes are expected to contribute significantly to reducing the incidents of harassment and improving overall service delivery for passengers.