Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised Nigeria’s domestic airlines and aviation regulators following his encounter with passengers who were delayed for several hours at Lagos airport.
Sowore made the comments on Monday, June 22, 2026, in a statement shared on his X account after meeting passengers at Lagos airport who were scheduled to travel to Owerri on United Nigeria Airlines. He said the passengers had been waiting for more than 11 hours after repeated changes to their departure time.
The passengers were reportedly travelling on a Lagos-to-Owerri flight operated by United Nigeria Airlines when they experienced the extended delay.
Sowore said the travellers were left without what he described as adequate information about the reason for the delay.
According to his account, some passengers remained at the airport throughout the day while waiting for updates from the airline.
He said the experience raised concerns about how passengers are treated during flight disruptions.
Sowore described the situation as a customer service problem within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He stated that while he interacted peacefully with the affected passengers, their experience showed challenges that require attention.
The activist said passengers should receive proper communication from airlines whenever delays affect their travel plans.
He criticised the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), saying the aviation regulator has a responsibility to ensure airlines maintain acceptable service standards.
Sowore argued that airlines must provide clearer information to passengers when flights are delayed or rescheduled.
He said repeated flight delays and poor communication have become issues affecting travellers across the country.
The complaint comes amid continuing concerns from air passengers about delayed flights and cancellations by domestic carriers.
Many travellers depend on airlines for accurate updates, especially when unexpected changes affect scheduled journeys.
Sowore said passengers’ time and comfort should be considered important parts of air travel services.
He also called attention to the need for stronger oversight within the aviation sector.
The NCAA is responsible for regulating civil aviation activities in Nigeria, including monitoring compliance with aviation standards.
Domestic airlines operating in Nigeria are expected to provide services that meet safety and customer care requirements.
The incident involving the Lagos-to-Owerri passengers has renewed discussion about airline responsibility during operational difficulties.
Flight delays can affect passengers’ schedules, especially when they are not informed early about changes.
Sowore’s comments focused on the experience of the passengers he met at the airport and their reported difficulties during the delay.
He said that meeting the affected travellers provided an opportunity to highlight concerns about passenger treatment.
The activist’s statement did not focus on the technical reason behind the flight delay but on the experience of the passengers.
The situation has brought renewed attention to the relationship between airlines, passengers, and aviation regulators.
Effective communication is considered an important part of managing disruptions in air travel operations.
Passengers often rely on airlines to provide timely explanations and guidance when flights do not operate as scheduled.
The aviation industry continues to face calls from travellers for improved service delivery and better passenger relations.
The latest complaint adds to public conversations about improving customer experience within Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector.
Stakeholders in the aviation industry are expected to continue discussions on ways to strengthen service standards.
Ensuring better communication between airlines and passengers remains a key issue raised by travellers.
The development has placed further focus on the need for accountability and professionalism in air transportation services.
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