NIGERIA: Over 500 Visually Impaired Protesters Block MMIA Road In Lagos

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Over 500 visually impaired and physically challenged protesters have barricaded the entrance and exit points at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday, causing severe disruptions to traffic and flight schedules.

The protest, organized by members of the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind, a group consisting of visually impaired individuals and those with physical disabilities, was in response to the prolonged closure of their schools.

The protesters, primarily from the School of the Blind and the School of the Disabled in the Isheri area of Lagos, claim that their schools have been closed for over two years despite repeated appeals to the government for reopening.

The blockade created a massive traffic gridlock, forcing many passengers to trek long distances to reach the airport. In many cases, travelers missed their scheduled flights due to the chaos caused by the demonstration.

A passenger warned on social media, advising others to avoid certain routes due to the blockage, stating, “If you don’t have any business at the airport, stay away for now.”

Spokesperson for the protesters, Dolor, in an interview with press men, emphasized that the demonstration was peaceful and aimed at drawing the attention of President Bola Tinubu to their plight.

He said: “We have no welfare, and many of us are forced to beg to survive,” Dolor explained, adding that their school has been shut for over two years with no response from the government despite numerous efforts, including written letters and visits to Abuja.

In a statement, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the protest and urged passengers to plan ahead, as the demonstration affected major access routes to the airport.

FAAN assured that security agencies were on the ground working to restore normal traffic flow.