The Federal Government has condemned an international fast food restaurant chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken, otherwise known as KFC, over its discriminatory treatment of Debola Daniel, a son of the former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, by its staff member at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, on Wednesday.
Although KFC had tendered a “sincere apology” to Daniel via its verified X handle on Thursday, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said it “strongly condemns any form of discrimination against consumers, especially those based on disability,” describing the alleged action as “not only unlawful but also inhumane and contrary to the values that we, as a society, hold dear.”
The FCCPC added that it would continue to “work closely with relevant authorities to ensure appropriate redress for the aggrieved consumer in this case, as well as ensure that the KFC outlet in question takes full responsibility for its actions.”
On March 27, Daniel accused the MMIA branch of the food outlet of discrimination against him by a manager of the branch via a series of posts he shared on his official X account, @DebolaDaniel.
Daniel, a wheelchair user, described his ordeal as “the worst sort of public humiliation” he had ever experienced.
Recounting his experience, His post read, “Never has this been more true than it has ever been today when I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand, @kfc, @kfcnigeria, at an international airport, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, is unthinkable.”
Daniel stated that he “arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlantic flight to London. I’m a frequent flyer, and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at Murtala Muhammed Airport. Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities had been completed, I would normally go to the Oasis lounge to wait for my flight.
“For the past three years, the lift to the lounge has been out of service, so I’ve often found solace in other establishments, sometimes lounges, sometimes restaurants, such as @kfcnigeria.”
He explained that as they were about to sit, a lady who is “apparently the manager,” called out loudly, “No wheelchairs allowed.”
He added that upon hearing what she said, one of his brothers, Taiwo, asked what the lady meant, but “she refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at the @kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted on the premises and we should leave immediately.
“My siblings and wife became instantly irate and proceeded to debate her position with her, ultimately culminating in raised voices and strong verbal protests. If there’s one thing I hate more than anything in this life, it’s creating a scene. I detest it. I do not like to draw attention to myself, and as such, I began pleading with my people that we should just leave.
“My wife took some video footage, and my brothers took some pictures. There were at least five other witnesses at the scene who tried to intervene as things unfolded. Eventually, our party departed for another lounge, upset and quite frankly pissed off.”
Daniel stated that he wouldn’t let such an incident slide, adding that as another of his brothers and his wife met the lady at another time, she stressed “that the business does not allow wheelchairs into their premises,” while they took an audio recording of her statement.
Following the allegation, FAAN stated on Thursday, in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, that the KFC MMA branch would remain shut until the food outlet tenders its apology to the victims.
The statement partly read, “In line with the Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that ‘A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person,’ the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has closed the KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.
“This is as a result of a social media report by a passenger with reduced mobility alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah; the Regional Manager, South-West, Mr Sunday Ayodele; the Ag. General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo; and the International Terminal Manager, Mr Kerri, to investigate the allegation.”
While apologising via its verified X handle, @kfcnigeria, on Thursday, the food outlet said it had “embarked on efforts to address the situation,” adding that it “deeply regrets the frustration and distress experienced by our guests and extends sincere apologies to those affected.”
The statement read in part, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values. In response, we are urgently implementing inclusion training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.
“We are actively exploring actions to equip our team members and restaurants better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”
