November 13, (THEWILL) — Amid rising cases of unruly passenger behaviour in Nigeria’s aviation industry, stakeholders have outlined practical strategies to improve conflict management and safeguard operational safety across airports.
Speaking during the 2025 Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Safety Week held at the Marriott Hotel, Lagos, on Wednesday, the Chairman, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Hon. Yakubu Dati, stressed the need for effective conflict management through negotiation, mediation, communication, and integration with Safety Management Systems (SMS).
Dati noted that incidents involving unruly passengers have increased significantly in the past decade, posing serious challenges to operational efficiency and sometimes threatening flight safety.
According to him, adopting proactive conflict resolution measures will enhance organisational cohesion, regulatory compliance, and adherence to international best practices.
“These tools ensure that disagreements are constructively addressed before escalating into crises that could jeopardise passenger safety or disrupt operations,” he said.
Dati added that ensuring safety in the aviation sector requires not only addressing existing disputes but also developing strong institutional frameworks, leadership capacity, and effective communication systems that foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability.
“In Africa, the growth of regional air connectivity has been accompanied by heightened operational stressors, delays, service gaps, and regulatory pressures that can amplify interpersonal tensions among passengers and staff,” he said.
In her remarks, FAAN’s General Manager, Safety Services, Mba Ifeoma Lorrettor, said safety remains a core value of the authority, shaping its operations and sustaining public trust.
“Every department, team, and individual contributes to the shared responsibility of ensuring safe, secure, and efficient operations,” she said.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Navigating Conflict for a Safer Aviation in Nigeria,” Lorrettor noted that collaboration and communication are key to strengthening FAAN’s safety culture.
“It reminds us that even in moments of conflict or challenge, we can find pathways that reinforce unity, accountability, and operational excellence.
“Over the years, our airports have recorded significant progress in Safety Management Systems through adherence to international standards, improved reporting systems, and continuous audits,” she added.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, David Idris Zacharias, disclosed that the committee has initiated legislative action on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill.
He added that a motion has also been passed to create a dedicated budget line for OSH activities across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He commended FAAN for its proactive approach, urging the agency to sustain collaboration among government institutions, operators, and professionals to advance Nigeria’s commitment to global best practices in aviation safety.
Similarly, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Emiola Luqman, said the authority has intensified training for frontline personnel in conflict de-escalation and behavioural awareness to enhance passenger facilitation and reduce stress-related incidents.
She added that FAAN is also strengthening inter-agency collaboration to ensure clarity of roles and unified responses to conflicts while promoting a culture of respect, professionalism, and accountability across all airports.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
