FAAN sets zero-tolerance policy against touting at airports

Following Senator Osita Izunaso’s recent outburst over what he described as a “national embarrassment” caused by touting and begging at Nigerian airports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has rolled out a comprehensive set of measures aimed at cleaning up operations and improving passenger experience across major terminals.

It rolled out these plans in a document sighted by our correspondent, titled “Position Document on Measures to Address Corrupt Practices and Enhance Passenger Experience at MMIA and GAT,” which was signed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The framework, developed after an emergency high-level meeting involving FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, and other heads of agencies working within the airport, outlines Operation Air Clean, an initiative designed to eliminate corrupt practices, enhance transparency, and improve airport operations, particularly at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the General Aviation Terminal in Lagos.

Among the measures proposed is the dissolution of joint inspection tables by security agencies, to be replaced with intelligence-driven passenger screening, individual profiling, and camera-based monitoring.

The document also states that the Department of State Services and Immigration Service will now share counters to ease passenger flow, while Customs officers will relocate to Aviation Security screening points for money declaration purposes.

FAAN plans to introduce greater transparency in passenger search procedures. Secondary screenings for arriving passengers will now be conducted in designated profiling rooms at Terminals 1 and 2, with real-time information screens displaying the names, agencies, and contact details of officers on duty. FAAN says this measure will “ensure transparency and accountability.”

Agency roles are also being redefined. NDLEA personnel will partner with AVSEC at screening points and conduct roving checks, while DSS personnel will maintain surveillance around departure and screening areas.

The document read in part, “NDLEA personnel will partner with AVSEC at screening points and conduct roving checks in the arrival hall. DSS officers will roam around the departure and screening areas. DSS and Immigration Service personnel will now share counters to reduce checkpoints for outbound passengers, enhancing travel flow.

“Customs will relocate to the AVSEC screening point for money declaration. On arriving, secondary screening will be done in a profiling room. The rooms will be situated at Terminal 1 and 2. Real-time screens will display the names, agencies, and contact details of officers on duty to ensure transparency.”

To strengthen enforcement, FAAN announced the immediate activation of a mobile court to handle cases of touting and related offenses. A designated meet-and-greet area will provide secure waiting spaces for visitors receiving passengers, reducing congestion around terminals.

“The immediate activation of a mobile court will expedite the prosecution of offenders, especially touts. The RGM will designate a secure, convenient space for visitors awaiting arriving passengers.

“Immediate prosecution of any BDC or car-hire staff found loitering or engaging in unauthorised activities. Also, the immediate prosecution of any BDC or car-hire staff found outside designated areas. Defaulting businesses will also face shutdowns and withdrawal of rights to operate in terminals,” the document stated.

In line with a ‘zero tolerance for misconduct’ policy, the authority vowed to prosecute any Bureau De Change or car-hire operators found loitering or operating outside approved zones. “Businesses found defaulting risk shutdowns and withdrawal of rights to operate in terminals.”

At the General Aviation Terminal, FAAN will introduce a timed parking system for short- and long-term users, limit the number of car-hire vehicles in the parking lot, and intensify efforts to eradicate touting and passenger harassment.

Endorsing the new policy, Minister Festus Keyamo reaffirmed the government’s determination to reform airport management nationwide.

Multiple sources in the ministry also hinted to The PUNCH that FAAN management will send an additional letter to the office of the National Security Adviser, appealing for urgent implementation of the new policies.

With Operation Air Clean, FAAN aims to create a safer, more efficient, and transparent airport environment for both passengers and airport stakeholders, signaling a decisive move toward professionalising Nigeria’s aviation sector.