The Nigerian Senate has called for urgent reforms to airspace restrictions following revelations that VIP movements are severely disrupting commercial aviation and endangering passenger safety.
During a Tuesday plenary session, lawmakers debated a motion raised by Senator Isah Jibril, who warned that holding commercial flights airborne for extended periods to accommodate VVIP movements creates a critical hazard that could trigger an aviation disaster.
Recalling his own experience, Senate President Godswill Akpabio shared that he was once left stranded alongside regular passengers in an airport shuttle bus for nearly three hours while waiting for presidential flight clearance even while serving as the governor of Akwa Ibom State.
He noted that he had to conceal his face to avoid recognition as frustrated commuters openly vented their anger at the government.
Senator Abdul Ningi corroborated these concerns, citing an instance where a standard 45-minute flight from Kano was extended to two and a half hours due to similar airspace lockdowns.
Lawmakers criticized the poor timing and coordination of presidential security protocols, pointing out that airspace is often restricted long before any official departure takes place.
Akpabio further cautioned that such prolonged delays pose an even greater threat with the arrival of the harmattan season, when low visibility and limited fuel reserves could prove catastrophic.
In response to the deliberations, the Senate directed its Committee on Aviation to meet immediately with relevant stakeholders to formulate practical solutions and establish clearly defined guidelines regarding which public officials genuinely qualify for airspace and airport privileges.
