Senator Izunaso Urges Keyamo to Caution Airport Officials Over Begging, Calls It a National Embarrassment
A mild drama unfolded in Abuja on Monday when Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) called on the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to address the persistent issue of airport officials allegedly soliciting money from travellers.
The senator made the appeal during a stakeholders’ event themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” held ahead of Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, which will attract representatives from 126 countries.
Izunaso described the actions of some personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and other uniformed agencies at airports as a national embarrassment, saying such behaviour tarnishes the country’s image before foreign visitors. “Honourable Minister, we commend the work you are doing at the airports. The processes have improved significantly — you just carry your bag and go. That’s excellent. But we must address the conduct of some personnel,” Izunaso said. “When you arrive, you still hear them shouting, ‘Your boys are here, sir!’ or ‘We are greeting you!’ These things don’t portray Nigeria well. Please, let them know that there should be no more ‘Your boys or girls are here!’ because we all know what that means.”
The senator noted that such remarks and exaggerated greetings are often subtle requests for tips, adding that they give visitors the wrong impression about Nigeria’s professionalism and hospitality.
However, his comments drew a swift response from the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, who maintained that the situation at Nigerian airports has improved remarkably. “I just returned from South Africa through the international airport, and nobody said ‘Your boys are here’ to me. Things are indeed changing,” Neliaku said, expressing confidence that Nigeria’s global image is on the rise.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also defended the aviation sector, commending Keyamo for the visible improvements at airports nationwide.
“I think what we are seeing under the current Aviation Minister is truly unprecedented. The transformation of our airports has made us proud,” Idris stated.
Backing these claims, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, highlighted ongoing technological reforms that have minimized human interactions and improved efficiency at entry points. “When you get to our airports now, you just scan your passport, look into the camera, and your details are captured. If everything checks out, the door opens automatically. This aligns with international best practices,” he explained.
Responding to the remarks, Minister Keyamo assured that his ministry would ensure a world-class experience for visitors attending the 2026 World Public Relations Forum in Nigeria. “We are working to make our airports a true reflection of our national image,” Keyamo said. “We are setting up a VVIP department at all international airports to give top-level guests a seamless and dignified experience.”
The World Public Relations Forum, scheduled for November 2026 at Eagle Square, Abuja, is expected to be one of the largest global communications gatherings ever hosted in Nigeria, drawing international PR professionals, diplomats, and government representatives.
