Who Wants To Turn Our Airlines Into ‘Bolekajas’? -By Isaac Asabor

It is no longer news that something is going terribly wrong within Nigeria’s aviation sphere. What was once a bastion of decorum and efficiency has gradually devolved into a stage for theatrics, unruly conduct, and outright lawlessness. Recent incidents have dragged our airport terminals, those last semblances of order in a country straining under social chaos, into the gutters of public disgrace. From Kwam 1’s tantrum at Lagos airport to Comfort’s outburst, down to the now-infamous confrontation between content creators VeryDarkMan (VDM) and Jollof at Asaba Airport, one question becomes pressing: “Who wants to turn our airlines into ‘Bolekajas’?”

To appreciate the gravity of this evolving malaise, we must understand what a “Bolekaja” symbolizes. It refers to the old, rough-edged public transport buses that used to ply Lagos streets, rickety vehicles where passengers fight for seats, tempers flare easily, and chaos is a given. They are notorious for rowdiness, unpredictability, and danger. That such imagery now befits our aviation terminals is a shame, one that did not happen overnight but through a steady erosion of discipline and accountability.

First, there was “Kwam 1”, a household name in Fuji music, who reportedly lashed out at an airport official doing her job. Witnesses as aggressive and unnecessary described the altercation, which found its way onto social media. Here was a man regarded as a cultural icon, a royal musician no less, berating a staff member over standard security procedures. What concerned many Nigerians was not just the altercation, but what it revealed: an emboldened sense of entitlement borne from celebrity culture and weak institutional checks.

Then came the case of “Comfort”, a female passenger whose video went viral after she publicly berated airline staff, screaming and even threatening violence over a situation she deemed unjust. Once again, people watched with disbelief as airport decorum gave way to Bolekaja-style shouting matches, complete with invectives and finger pointing.

In addition, just when we thought it could not get worse, the Asaba Airport fracas exploded. Not on the runway, but on Instagram feeds, WhatsApp statuses, and Twitter timelines. A heated altercation between popular social media personalities “VeryDarkMan (VDM)” and “Jollof” erupted. Passengers tried to navigate their flights while these two squared up as if it was a street corner in Agege. Reportedly, the dispute involved words like “You don’t know who I am,” “Do your worse,” and threats of violence. The scene could have passed for a street fight if not for the fuselage just meters away, all under the roof of what is supposed to be a secure aviation facility.

The problem is twofold: the erosion of discipline and the rise of entitlement. In our society today, being a celebrity, whether by artistry, activism, or TikTok influence, has been wrongly equated to being above the law. Far too often, we see airport officials scrambling to appease persons of influence, even when they are in the wrong. Some airport staff, intimidated by status and fearful of social media backlash, struggle to enforce rules meant to protect hundreds of lives.

On the other hand, passengers many of whom have never been properly oriented about airport etiquette, approach these spaces with the attitude they carry into markets or motor parks. Angry outbursts, queue jumping, and disregard for staff instructions are not just common, they are expected. That is how the “Bolekaja” mentality got in: through the doors left ajar by neglect and lack of consequences.

However, let us be clear: airports should never be basterdized in this reckless manner. They are not open markets or bus parks. They are regulated entry points into the airspace, governed by strict international protocols. Every individual on the premises must understand that their conduct matters. After all, you are not only protecting your own safety, you are preserving the safety of all-onboard.

At this juncture, it is expedient to ask, “Why then are these boundaries constantly being stretched and broken?” Part of the answer lies in the failure of regulatory oversight. Complaints about airport authorities issuing weak press releases after viral scandals have become too frequent. Where are the decisive actions? Why are investigations hardly concluded publicly? When we hear “the matter is being looked into,” it often means the issue is being swept under the rug. No deterrence, no accountability.

We must also stare down the culture of impunity head-on. It is high time airport authorities stop kowtowing to personality power. Whether your name is Kwam 1 or Kwam 50, you should face consequences for breaching laws and threatening safety. We cannot build a serious aviation industry if we endorse star-struck responses to chaos. If an airport official oversteps or mistreats a passenger, the passenger has every right to file a complaint, but that must be within the boundaries of decency, not on Facebook Live or through public hysteria.

Make no mistake; passengers have reasons to be angry at times. From flight delays to poor communication from airlines and inconsistent service delivery, there is frustration in the system. However, frustration is not an excuse for turning airports into warzones. Let us fix the infrastructure and communication gaps, but also enforce civility.

Another aspect that must be addressed is training. Airport personnel must be trained in not only technical handling but also emotional intelligence. There is a way to enforce rules firmly without provoking a scene. When staff act with fairness, clarity, and firmness, even the most impatient traveler is forced to respect boundaries.

Moreover, the rise of mobile phones and live streaming has placed airport behavior under a digital microscope. Every altercation is now a broadcast, exposing our shortcomings to global audiences. This digital exposure should ideally enforce better conduct, yet it seems to have emboldened some people to seek online notoriety, deliberately instigating conflict to gain influence.

Again, at this juncture, it is germane to ask, “What must be done?” First and foremost, FAAN and NCAA must enforce stricter penalties, not just warnings. Set a precedent. Impose fines and travel bans on unruly passengers. Publish them if need be.

Secondly, Airlines should brick-wall passengers who have a reputation for disrupting flights. A no-fly list is not out of order for repeat offenders, and thirdly, invest in training airport staff to handle passengers with firmness and tact.

Fourthly, engage passengers better, particularly first-time flyers, by explaining procedures clearly and respectfully, and finally on accountability, that is from the perspective of normalization of accountability, whether celebrity or common citizen, it should be made known that if anyone messes up at the airport, he or she  will face consequences.

In fact, Nigeria’s aviation sector has too much to overcome already, fuel scarcity, rising operating costs, dilapidated infrastructure, to now host free-for-all fights in its terminals. Airport terminals must remain sanctified spaces of order.

Our airports cannot become Bolekajas, not on our watch, not on any watch. Unless we want passengers flying without protocol, airlines boarding by shouting match, and emergency exits doubling as shortcuts to social relevance, we must act. The airport is a serious place, for serious journeys. Let us keep it that way.

After all, nobody wants to hear “Keep your luggage in the overhead compartment!” over the sound of “Leave me jor, you no know me!” in the aisle.