The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a strong warning to domestic airlines operating in the country. The regulator is threatening to impose much heavier sanctions due to the persistent problem of flight delays and cancellations.
Regulator's Stern Warning to Airlines
Michael Achimugu, the spokesperson for the NCAA, made this announcement on Thursday, January 8, 2026. He stated that while the Federal Government has consistently offered support to airlines facing industry-wide challenges, the current situation demands stricter action.
Achimugu communicated this via a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He acknowledged that many flight disruptions are caused by factors outside an airline's direct control. However, he emphasized that carriers must drastically improve how they communicate with passengers during these operational hiccups.
The core of the new stance is a push for stiffer penalties against operators who continue to show poor operational performance. The NCAA believes that heavier ramifications are now necessary to compel better service for the flying public.
A Costly Ordeal for Nollywood Actress
This warning comes at a time when a prominent actress and filmmaker, Bolaji Ogunmola, publicly criticized an airline for leaving her stranded. She was stuck at the Ekiti State airport for over 24 hours, an experience she described as deeply distressing.
According to Ogunmola, this major disruption caused her to miss the crucial first day of a film production with a budget exceeding N20 million. In an emotional video shared on her Instagram, she detailed how repeated delays, cancellations, and rescheduling completely derailed her plans.
"I'm still at the airport by the way, and I've cried my eyes out this morning," Ogunmola said. "I'm in Ekiti. I'm still here because I'm on set this morning, and it's the first day of TOC's production. I have actors on set. I booked a restaurant. I booked everything, and I'm still here. I spent over N15 to 20 million trying to produce this film."
The Stranded Passenger's Account
Ogunmola recounted that her travel troubles began on Wednesday, January 7. She arrived at the airport for a scheduled flight to Lagos but was first informed of a delay. After some time, the airline decided to cancel the flight entirely, leaving her stranded overnight.
"I was supposed to fly yesterday, and they told me when I got to the airport that something happened. It was delayed. After a while, they said they were not flying again and cancelled the flight," she explained. "I said, okay, you cancelled the flight. What is the plan? I need to get to Lagos."
With no immediate solution, she spent the night at a local motel. She returned to the airport the following morning, only to face further delays and uncertainty, ultimately missing her professional commitments.
The incident involving Bolaji Ogunmola has put a public face on a frequent complaint among Nigerian air travelers. It underscores the real human and economic costs of flight disruptions. The NCAA's latest warning signals that the regulatory body is moving from appeals to the promise of concrete action, aiming to hold airlines more accountable for their operational reliability and customer communication.
