The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled a new policy initiative, Operation Air Clean, to combat touting, corruption, and harassment at Nigerian airports — particularly at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Lagos.
The move follows an outcry by Senator Osita Izunaso, who described touting and begging at airports as a “national embarrassment.”
A document titled “Position Document on Measures to Address Corrupt Practices and Enhance Passenger Experience at MMIA and GAT”, signed by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, outlines sweeping reforms aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and passenger safety.
Among the new measures:
- Joint inspection tables by multiple agencies will be replaced with intelligence-driven passenger screening and camera-monitored profiling rooms.
- DSS and Immigration Service will now share counters to improve passenger flow.
- Customs officers will move to AVSEC screening points for money declaration.
- Real-time screens will display the names and contact details of officers on duty for transparency.
To enforce compliance, FAAN has activated a mobile court to prosecute touts, loitering operators, and corrupt officials. Bureau De Change and car-hire operators found outside designated areas risk business shutdowns and license withdrawal.
At the GAT, FAAN will introduce timed parking systems, limit car-hire vehicles, and create a designated meet-and-greet area to prevent congestion.
Minister Festus Keyamo affirmed the government’s “zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct,” stating the reforms are part of a broader plan to professionalize airport operations nationwide.
Sources also revealed that FAAN has written to the National Security Adviser’s office, requesting urgent support for implementing these reforms.
With Operation Air Clean, Nigeria’s aviation sector may finally witness a long-awaited transformation toward safety, transparency, and global best practices.
