KFC In Discriminatory Law Violation In Lagos As FAAN Shuts Down Outlet Over Gbenga Daniel’s Son Alleged Maltreatment

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is currently in trouble in Nigeria for reportedly violating the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the development following the alleged maltreatment and assault of Adebola Daniel, a son of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who had on Wednesday lamented how he was denied access to a KFC branch at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos due to his disability.

Adebola Daniel, who is the victim of the discrimination, said on his X handle on Wednesday that he experienced “the worst sort of public humiliation” at KFC.

Narrating his ordeal, Daniel who uses a wheel chair, said his ordeal started during his planned trip to London from Lagos. He stated that in the past, while he was quite familiar with security and immigration processes, being a frequent traveller, he would visit one of the lounges at the airport to wait for his flight.

He said due to the fact the lift to the lounge has been out of service, he decided to go to the KFC outlet in the airport, alongside his wife and his three brothers.

He said: “To be disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome and unaccepted. As I’ve said before, it’s a lonely, scary and isolated place.

“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.

“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.”

Daniel said that as they were about to sit, a lady whom he believes is the manager said that wheelchairs were not allowed. He said 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 wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in 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 is to create 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 to another lounge upset and quite frankly pissed off.”

Daniel said he wouldn’t let such an incident slide, as another of his brothers alongside his wife, met the lady at another time where she insisted “that the business does not allow wheelchairs into their premises.” He said they took an audio recording of her statement.

As the fire was raging on the social media, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), took step and ordered the immediate closure of the KFC branch at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, citing discrimination against a physically challenged customer with effect from March 28, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Authority’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, the eatery was shut down because it violated the Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs.

“In line with 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.
“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), 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 to investigate the allegation. It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.

“The Authority has instructed that the KFC management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation. FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected Passenger with Reduced Mobility and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it “opposes bias and discrimination”, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity 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 solutions to equip our team members and establishments 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.”

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that it is still unclear if charges will be press against the international brand by Lagos State Government or not but Daniel had said he wouldn’t let such an incident slide.

KFC is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that specializes in fried chicken. It is the world’s second-largest restaurant chain after McDonald’s, with 22,621 locations globally in 150 countries as of December 2019.