By Our Reporter
Operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, were disrupted yesterday when visually impaired persons protested the continued closure of their training school, the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind.
The protesters, led by Kelly Egbere (popularly known as Kelly Blind), blocked major roads to the airport’s domestic and international terminals, causing gridlock from about 10:45 a.m. Many travellers resorted to commercial motorcycles, paying up to ₦5,000 to beat the traffic.
The demonstrators accused the government of neglecting their welfare and keeping the school—closed since June 7, 2024—shut despite repeated appeals. Placards bore messages such as “Reopen our school, help the blind to live well” and “We are appealing for the reopening of the Nigeria Farmcraft Centre for the Blind.”
“We have no welfare, and many of us have to beg to survive,” said one protest leader, Dolor. “This school gave us dignity, yet it has been closed without reason. We want President Bola Tinubu to hear our cry.”
FAAN and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd apologised for the inconvenience, advising travellers to seek alternative routes and confirm flight schedules.
By 4 p.m., the protesters dispersed after meeting behind closed doors with the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, who flew in from Abuja. Sununu explained that the school was shut because its facilities were “not optimal” for visually impaired students but assured that funds for renovation were included in the 2025 budget.
“It is better to suspend the school temporarily than risk lives,” the minister said. “Once the upgrade is completed, students will return to a better environment. The President is committed to listening to Nigerians and addressing their concerns.”
Egbere said they were satisfied with the minister’s assurances, noting that the reopening and welfare issues would be addressed.
Despite the protest easing, traffic remained heavy into the evening along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Agege Motor Road, and other adjoining routes.