BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
A protest by members of the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind near Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, has brought into sharp focus the vulnerability of airport access routes and the ripple effects such disruptions have on travellers and airport operations.
The demonstration, while peaceful, caused a near standstill of vehicular movement on key roads leading to the airport, resulting in gridlock that stranded countless passengers and raised alarms over potential flight disruptions.
The incident highlights the urgent need for improved traffic management and alternative access planning around Nigeria’s busiest airport.
In the immediate aftermath, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responded swiftly, urging travellers to remain vigilant by checking live traffic updates and confirming their flight details to mitigate the risk of missed departures.
“Given the extent of the congestion, passengers are advised to explore alternate routes to the airport,” FAAN stated, expressing regret over the inconvenience. “We appeal for the public’s patience as our teams work relentlessly to restore normal traffic flow.”
This episode has sparked wider conversations about the critical infrastructure and security arrangements at major transportation hubs, as well as the importance of engaging with community groups to avoid disruptions that impact national mobility and commerce.
Meanwhile, FAAN has committed to accelerating efforts to strengthen contingency plans and traffic coordination to better handle such unexpected events in the future.
