The Senate, on Tuesday, launched a full-scale investigation into a string of troubling incidents involving airlines and passengers, as public concern grew over safety standards, regulatory lapses, and passenger treatment across the nation’s aviation sector.
In the same breath, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, to commence without delay a probe into the alleged obstruction of aviation safety protocols by popular Fuji musician, Kwam 1 at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 5 August 2025.
This was as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has condemned the treatment meted out to an air passenger, Miss Comfort Emmanson by officials of the Ibom Air, describing it as reckless and a violation of human dignity. It has, however, promised to defend her freely in court.
Similarly, the Labour Party has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure equal treatment to K1 and Emmanson, recently involved in the breach of airport safety protocols.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, who made this known in a press statement, stated that the committee was alarmed by the frequency and gravity of recent airline-passenger altercations that have gone viral and stirred widespread outrage.
“These developments demand immediate and coordinated action to protect the integrity of the sector and restore public confidence. We will not allow procedural gaps or lapses in enforcement to undermine safety, professionalism, or public trust in our aviation system,” he said.
He said, the committee, exercising its constitutional oversight authority, would summon key players in the aviation ecosystem.
Agencies and stakeholders listed to be summoned included regulatory bodies like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), operators, security agencies, and public interest groups.
They would be quizzed on a series of investigative hearings aimed at uncovering root causes and recommending decisive corrective actions.
While the statement stopped short of naming specific airlines or incidents, the timing aligned with several high-profile controversies that have recently gripped the sector.
One such case occurred in July 2025, when passengers aboard a domestic flight from Lagos to Abuja were left inside an aircraft for hours without communication or air-conditioning, prompting heated exchanges and social media backlash.
In another incident, passengers were reportedly deboarded for expressing frustration over delayed take-off, raising fresh questions about passenger rights and the professionalism of airline staff.
These incidents were part of a broader pattern that has drawn criticisms from consumer protection bodies and aviation analysts.
According to recent data from consumer advocacy groups, over 4,000 complaints were lodged by Nigerian air travellers in 2024 alone, ranging from flight delays and cancellations to lost baggage, poor communication, and allegations of misconduct by flight crews.
Abdulfatai, widely regarded as a vocal advocate for industry transparency and consumer protection, stressed that the committee was determined to get to the bottom of the problems.
He said, “The Senate Aviation Committee will ensure accountability at all levels. We are not embarking on a public relations exercise. This is about structural reform and real consequences for failure.”
The decision by the Senate came amid growing calls for a legislative overhaul of the aviation regulatory framework, with experts arguing that current enforcement mechanisms were too weak to deter negligence or mistreatment.
Several consumer protection organisations had urged lawmakers to pass a comprehensive Passenger Bill of Rights, clearly defining airline obligations and penalties for non-compliance.
Speaking to THISDAY, an aviation consultant and policy expert, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwoke, welcomed the Senate’s intervention but stressed the need for follow-through.
He said, “Nigerians are losing confidence in the aviation sector, and for good reason. You have operational inefficiencies, customer service failures, and a lack of consequences. This Senate action is a welcome start, but it must lead to clear reform and enforcement,” he said.
Stakeholders also pointed to the broader challenges facing Nigerian airlines, including rising operational costs, foreign exchange volatility, and ageing infrastructure.
While these economic pressures were real, industry watchers argued they could not justify subpar service or breaches of safety and passenger rights.
The aviation sector plays a critical role in Nigeria’s economic and social connectivity, especially given the country’s vast geography and sometimes limited road infrastructure.
With Nigeria aiming to establish itself as a West African aviation hub through infrastructure upgrades and expansion of domestic carriers, ensuring a safe, reliable, and accountable industry is seen as vital to the country’s development goals.
The senator, therefore, assured the public that the Senate Committee would maintain “active oversight” and press for actionable outcomes—not just recommendations.
He added that operators found to be repeatedly in breach of regulations or standards would be held accountable, including through legislative interventions where necessary.
“The Nigerian people deserve an aviation sector that upholds global standards of safety, professionalism, and customer respect. We will not rest until those standards are met and maintained,” he said.
As hearings are scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, eyes would be on the Senate to see if it could push through the bold changes needed to reset an industry that millions of Nigerians rely on, but increasingly question.
Chuks Okocha, Sunday Aborisade, Alex Enumah and Linus Aleke
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