A mild drama unfolded in Abuja on Monday when Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to address what he described as embarrassing conduct by uniformed airport officials who subtly solicit money from travellers.
Speaking at the event “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World”—a precursor to Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum—Izunaso decried the behaviour of personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other airport security agencies.
“You always hear them shout, ‘Your boys are here, sir!’ or ‘We greet you, sir!’ These greetings are not innocent. It paints a poor image of our country,” the senator said.
He commended the Minister for the visible improvements in airport operations but insisted more work was needed in addressing personnel behaviour.
“When you get to the airport now, you just carry your bag and walk in. That’s fantastic. But we need to also correct the unprofessional conduct of those who work there,” Izunaso added.
“There’s a way they look at you that clearly shows they’re asking for something more than just a greeting.”
According to him, such practices could leave a negative impression on international visitors, particularly as Nigeria prepares to host over 100 countries for the 2026 forum.
However, his comments were swiftly countered by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, who shared a more optimistic perspective on recent reforms.
“I just returned from South Africa and came through our international airport. I must say, there is a lot of improvement,” Neliaku remarked.
“Nobody said ‘Your boys are here’ to me. Nigeria is changing.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also defended the aviation sector’s progress.
“What we are seeing under Keyamo’s leadership is unprecedented. Entry and exit points have been transformed,” Idris said, commending the aviation minister for his achievements.
Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi echoed similar sentiments, noting that technological upgrades have reduced human contact and increased efficiency at the nation’s entry points.
“Today, travellers simply scan their passports and go through if everything checks out. This is what you see in advanced countries. We are aligning with global standards,” he said.
In response to the concerns and commendations, Minister Festus Keyamo pledged to maintain high standards at the airports, especially ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold at Eagle Square, Abuja.
“We are the first point of contact for visitors. We will make sure everyone receives a warm and professional welcome,” Keyamo assured.
“We’re also setting up a VVIP department at all international airports to cater to our most important guests.”.
