Stop Airport Officials From Begging Passengers, Senator Tells Keyamo
A mild drama played out in Abuja on Monday when Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West Senatorial District, called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to caution officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other uniformed personnel at airports against begging air travellers for money.
Izunaso, who described the conduct of some airport officials as a “national embarrassment,” said their unprofessional behaviour paints Nigeria in a bad light, especially before visiting foreigners.
The senator made the remarks at an event themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World” held ahead of Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, which is expected to attract participants from over 120 countries.
“Honourable minister, a lot has been said about what you are doing at the airport. When you arrive now, you just carry your bag and move in. Good work! That is fantastic,” Izunaso said.
“But you also have to look at the personnel, including customs, immigration, and other people working at the airports. You will always hear ‘Your boys are here, Sir!’ or ‘We are greeting you, Sir!’, this does not depict a good image of our country.”
He added that such greetings often come with subtle demands for tips or favours, noting that the behaviour, though seemingly harmless, sends the wrong message about Nigeria’s integrity.
“For us in Nigeria, we know the meaning of ‘Your boys are here.’ Please tell them there will be no ‘Your boys or girls are here.’ Sometimes, they greet you repeatedly, hoping you will drop something. These are things we must change before visitors start arriving for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum,” he added.
However, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, countered the senator’s remarks, insisting that Nigeria’s airports have undergone significant reforms under the current administration.
“I just returned from South Africa and came back through the international airport. I want to confirm there is a lot of improvement. Nobody said ‘Your boys are here’ to me. I think Nigeria is changing,” Neliaku said.
Also commending the minister, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised Keyamo’s leadership, saying the reforms in the aviation sector were “truly unprecedented.”
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, also highlighted recent technological upgrades, noting that automation has helped reduce human contact and enhance efficiency at entry points.
“If you go to our airports now, all you need to do is scan your passport, and if your details are valid, the system lets you through automatically. We are already setting international standards,” Adeniyi stated.
Responding, Minister Keyamo assured stakeholders that his ministry would continue to improve airport operations and ensure that Nigeria presents a welcoming image to visitors during the 2026 forum.
“We will be ready at our entry points, which are the first contact foreigners have with Nigeria. We’re setting up VVIP departments at all international airports to ensure that visitors are properly received,” Keyamo said.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum, scheduled to hold in Abuja, is expected to be Nigeria’s largest global communications gathering, drawing top PR experts, diplomats, and government officials from across the world.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
