BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), is deepening inclusion in Nigeria’s aviation sector with a specialised autism awareness and support training for its customer-facing staff.
The initiative, facilitated by Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative and led by Solape Azazi, a WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST) Master Trainer, is designed to equip frontline airport personnel with the knowledge, sensitivity, and practical skills needed to support passengers on the autism spectrum and their families.
The session focused on autism fundamentals, identifying signs of sensory overload or distress, applying effective communication strategies, and fostering teamwork rooted in compassion, dignity and understanding.
Airport staff were trained to recognise behavioural cues that may indicate discomfort and to respond calmly and appropriately to ensure a seamless travel experience.
Speaking on the initiative, Kola Bamigboye, Ag. Chief Operating Officer and Head of Space & Premises Management at BASL, said the programme aligns squarely with the company’s broader vision of building an inclusive airport terminal.
“Air travel can be particularly overwhelming for individuals on the autism spectrum due to noise, crowds, and multiple sensory triggers within the airport environment.
By empowering our customer-facing teams with the right training, we are strengthening our commitment to ensuring that all passengers enjoy a seamless and supportive experience,” he said.
Bamigboye stressed that inclusivity is not an optional add-on but a core service responsibility, noting that MMA2 aims to create an environment where every passenger—regardless of ability—can travel with comfort, confidence and respect.
Also underscoring the importance of the training, the Head of Human Resources and Administration, Feyikemi Fadeyibi, highlighted workforce development as a cornerstone of service excellence.
“At Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, we recognize that our people are at the heart of the passenger experience. Continuous training and capacity building are essential to ensure that our workforce is not only professionally competent but also empathetic and responsive to the diverse needs of the traveling public,” she said.
“Customer care is one of our core values, and our culture, driven by a strong sense of family, compels us to treat every passenger with dignity, patience, and understanding. This Autism Sensitization Training strengthens our culture of inclusion and equips our staff with the confidence and skills to provide respectful, informed, and compassionate support to every passenger.”
In her remarks, Solape Azazi described the training as a crucial intervention in promoting dignity and awareness within public spaces.
“The Autism Sensitization training happening today is crucial for creating a supportive environment, ensuring understanding and dignity for every traveler with autism.
Autism, unlike other neurodevelopmental conditions, does not have a physical marker and so most individuals with autism are not easily identified except there is a recognized behavior indicating sensory overload or discomfort experienced by a traveler,” she explained.
“The objectives of the training are to understand autism fundamentals and concepts, identify signs of distress, and demonstrate effective communication, while encouraging teamwork that prioritizes compassion and understanding for everyone.”
Participants engaged in interactive exercises that provided practical tools for empathy-driven engagement, de-escalation techniques, and effective collaboration with families and caregivers.
The session also reinforced a culture of awareness across the airport community.
The initiative forms part of BASL’s ongoing drive to elevate operational standards and passenger satisfaction at MMA2, positioning the terminal as a leader in inclusive and accessible service delivery within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
