LAGOS, Nigeria: Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has ordered a full investigatin into the dispute between Air Peace Airlines and Adams Oshiomhole following a controversial incident at Lagos Airport on June 11, 2025.
The directive was issued on Friday via Keyamo’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, two days after reports emerged of the senator’s alleged disruptive behavior at the airport’s Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall).
According to Air Peace, Mr. Oshiomhole arrived at the terminal roughly 20 minutes after the scheduled departure and was denied boarding.
The airline condemned what it described as unruly conduct that briefly disrupted airport operations.
In his defense, Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor and now Senator for Edo North, claimed he had already checked in online. He further accused Air Peace staff of selling inflated tickets to last-minute buyers while denying him boarding.
The incident drew public attention, with several aviation sources suggesting Oshiomhole’s actions may have violated sections of Annexe 17 of the ICAO Act (2022) and Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Regulations, potentially posing security risks by blocking the movement of other passengers.
In response, Minister Keyamo urged both parties to refrain from public accusations. We must observe due process and hear all sides before drawing conclusions, he stated.
He also directed aviation agencies to gather evidence, ensure neutrality, and submit a report to his office.
The findings, he said, would help shape policies to prevent future incidents of this nature.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which regulates safety, licensing, and enforcement is expected to lead the investigation, possibly in collaboration with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The outcome of the investigation could set a precedent in how Nigeria handles conflicts between airlines and high-profile passengers, especially in sensitive areas like airport operations and aviation security.
Senator Oshiomhole, a senior member of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), previously served as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Chairman of the APC.
Air Peace is Nigeria’s largest airline and a key player in West African air travel. The company has frequently advocated for improved passenger conduct and enforcement of aviation regulations.
