This information was disseminated through an official statement released on Thursday by the minister's designated Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
The special marshals will comprise individuals from the media, state governors' representatives, members of non-governmental organizations, and other pertinent stakeholders, as indicated by Moshood.
In announcing this initiative, the minister’s aide emphasized that the goal is to improve airport cleanliness and professionalism while ensuring that passenger expectations are consistently met.
The statement noted, “Acknowledging the essential need for our airports to maintain the highest standards of customer service and operational excellence, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, has launched new initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of the traveling public who utilize our airports on a daily basis.
“These initiatives are intended to enhance service delivery and environmental standards at these facilities. One of the key measures includes the establishment of voluntary Special Airport Marshals.
“The Minister, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, will appoint voluntary Special Airport Marshals in cities where airports are situated. These marshals, comprised of community-minded individuals from the media, non-governmental organizations, and state governor representatives, will perform unannounced visits to airports. Their responsibilities will include monitoring staff behavior and evaluating the overall cleanliness and conditions of the airports.”
Moshood elaborated that the marshals will report directly to Keyamo, who will provide guidance to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria based on their assessments.
“With this initiative, the Honourable Minister will not only depend on official reports from airport managers but will also take into account independent observations from the voluntary Special Airport Marshals.
“This will add an extra layer of transparency in supervising our airports, ensuring that airport managers, who receive monthly funding for maintenance, are held accountable for their duties,” he stated.
Additionally, it was disclosed that the minister, along with senior officials and federal legislators responsible for aviation oversight, will conduct unannounced visits to airports to evaluate staff performance.
“The Honourable Minister, together with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Managing Director of FAAN, key directors from both the Ministry and FAAN, and members of the Senate and House Committees on Aviation, will carry out unscheduled monthly inspections of airports across the country.
“During these visits, the Honourable Minister will actively engage in various operational tasks, showcasing leadership and underscoring the significance of dedicated service. He will also interact with airport personnel, address their concerns, and motivate them to uphold professionalism and provide courteous service to the public,” Moshood added.