FAAN shuts airport KFC for discriminating against wheel-chair bound Adebola Daniel
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) has been shut down by the authorities over the shock and outburst expressed by physically-challenged Adebola, son of former Ogun Governor Gbenga Daniel, for him and his family being prevented from staying in the eatery because of his condition.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) took the action against the popular food outlet after Adebola narrated his experience on X (Twitter), which was broadcast on Wednesday on the “What’s trending” by Ojy Okpe segment on The Morning Show on Arise News.
A statement issued on Thursday by FAAN Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Director Obiageli Orah said KFC violated the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination.
Adebola laments his “worst public humiliation”
Adebola had recounted his experience in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.
He described his ordeal as “the worst sort of public humiliation” he ever had, which he said started during his planned trip to London from Lagos via a Virgin Atlantic Airline.
“Today I chose KFC – what a colossal mistake,” he began.
“Being disabled often rolls over my spirit, leaving behind a trail of shattered dignity and forgotten humanity. Nowhere more so than in Nigeria.
“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability. My approach has always been ‘laissez-faire.’ Ultimately, it is what it is. It is a part of my identity and like everyone else, I have my days of self-doubt and confusion as to how/if I fit in society.
“To be disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome and unaccepted. As I’ve said before, it’s a lonely, scary and isolated place.
“Never has this been more true than it has ever been today when I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand @kfc @kfcnigeria at an international airport – Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos – is unthinkable.
“I arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlantic flight to London. I’m a frequent flyer and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at Murtala Muhammed Airport. Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities had been completed, I would normally go to the Oasis lounge to wait for my flight.
“For the past three years, the lift to the lounge has been out of service so I’ve often found solace in other establishments, sometimes lounges, sometimes restaurants such as @kfc @kfcnigeria.”
Adebola lamented that as he and his family were about to sit down, a lady who is “apparently the manager”, called out loudly, “No wheelchairs allowed.”
He said one of his brothers, Taiwo, asked what the lady meant, but “she refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at @kfc @kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.
“My siblings and wife became instantly irate and proceeded to debate her position with her, ultimately cumulating in raised voices and strong verbal protests.
“If there’s one thing I hate more than anything in this life is to create a scene. I detest it. I do not like to draw attention to myself and as such I began pleading with my people that we should just leave.
“My wife took some video footage and my brothers took some pictures. There were at least five other witnesses at the scene, who tried to intervene as things unfolded. Eventually, our party departed to another lounge upset and quite frankly pissed off.”
Adebola said he would not let such an incident slide, so another his brothers alongside his wife met the lady at another time, but she insisted “that the business does not allow wheelchairs into their premises,” while they took an audio record of her statement.
He quoted the lady as saying “she recently just transferred to that branch, it is something that has been drummed into them.
“It harkens back to dark periods in recent history… No wheelchairs allowed… No coloureds allowed…. No blacks allowed …. Today, I felt less than human, like a guard dog not allowed into the house. Lonely and isolated.
[But] “I will continue to escalate the matter until I get a reasonable resolution and there’s no stopping me. You cannot treat people this way.
“There are approximately 27 million Nigerians living with some form of disability. That’s over 13% of the country. One in six people on the planet are disabled. You must not treat people this way.
“So my question to @kfc @kfcnigeria is simple. Does this represent your approach to disabled customers or will you be looking into this? Am I not human enough for KFC?
“Audio clip from my wife. I’m trying to get all the evidence up on here.”
FAAN explains reasons for shutting down KFC branch
The statement issued by FAAN explained the directive to shut the MMIA branch of KFC followed a social media report by a “Passenger with Reduced Mobility” who alleged discriminatory treatment he received at the airport.
It said the branch was closed with effect from Mach 28 “In line with Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that ‘A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person.’
“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi, Kuku intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah; the Regional Manager South West, Mr. Sunday Ayodele; Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo and the International Terminal Manager, Mr. Kerri, to investigate the allegation.
“It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.
“The authority has instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.
“FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected Passenger with Reduced Mobility and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.”
KFC apologises, embarks on ‘sensitivity training’ of employees
In response, KFC explained on official X handle on Thursday that “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.
“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.
‘[We are] urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.
“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”
Lagos govt criticises incident
Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) General Manager Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal added in a statement that the attention of her office “has been drawn to a viral story about the discrimination against Mr. Debola Daniel, a person with a disability in a wheelchair. This incident happened on 27th of March 2024, at a KFC restaurant located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“[LASODA] frowns upon any form of discrimination, particularly against persons with disabilities. Every individual, regardless of their disability, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
“The agency is committed to ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are protected and upheld in Lagos State. Discriminatory actions, such as those alleged in this incident, are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“LASODA, therefore, encourages anyone who has experienced discrimination based on their disability to report such incidents to lasoda@lagosstate.gov.ng We are committed to working towards a society that is inclusive and accessible to all.”
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