Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has called out United Nigeria Airlines over the alleged cancellation of her Ekiti-Lagos flight without prior notification, a situation she said disrupted her film production and caused heavy financial losses.
Ogunmola took to social media on Thursday in a video recorded at the airport, where she lamented that the airline’s actions left her stranded despite multiple rescheduled departure times.
The actress said the disruption impacted the first day of her movie shoot in Lagos, despite the cast, crew, and equipment already being on site.
She said, “I don’t want it to look like I just want to call anybody out. I am still at the airport, and I have cried my eyes out this morning. I’m supposed to be on set this morning. I have actors on set, I have booked restaurants and everything, but I’m still here.”
She disclosed that she had invested between N15m and N20m in the project at the time of the incident, stressing that the delay put the entire production in jeopardy.
“I have spent over N15m to N20m, and I’m still in Ekiti,” Ogunmola added.
Recounting her experience, the actress said she arrived at the airport on Wednesday but was informed that the flight had been delayed before it was eventually cancelled.
She stated, “When I got to the airport, they said something happened and the aircraft was delayed. After waiting, they later told us the flight had been cancelled. I asked what the plan was because I needed to get to Lagos, and they said there was nothing they could do.”
She explained that after failing to secure an alternative flight, including from Akure Airport, she paid for hotel accommodation to ensure she could board the 8:00 am flight the next morning.
“I woke up around 5:00am and got to the airport by 6:30am. They told us the flight was no longer for 8:00am but 9:30am. Later, it was moved to 12:00 noon, and now they say it will be by 5:30 pm,” she said.
Ogunmola accused the airline of failing to communicate the changes to passengers: “There was no message, no conversation; nothing was said to us. This is painful because you could have just sent a message.”
In a shaky voice, the actress said she felt stranded and forced to make alternative road travel arrangements to Lagos in order to resume work.
“I am literally stuck in a state where I don’t know anybody. My crew, production team and everyone are waiting because this is our first day on set,” she lamented.
Describing the incident as an attack on her livelihood, Ogunmola vowed to take the matter up with the airline.
“It’s not only my time they are toying with; they are also toying with my means of livelihood. I am going to take this up honestly,” she threatened.
When contacted, the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed the development but dismissed the actress’ claim of not receiving any explanation from the airline.
Uloka explained that the issue occurred as a result of an unscheduled service ordered by the airline’s team of engineers.
The airline publicist said, “The aircraft that was expected to pick up the Ekiti–Lagos passengers had to undergo an unscheduled service, and because passengers’ safety is our first priority at all times, we had to oblige the engineers. It is not true that no one spoke with her; our station manager went to her and spoke with her about the development.
“This is not our making. Safety should be the first thing to consider for everyone at all times. This is not a car that can be managed whenever the need arises; whether scheduled or not, we must check the aircraft first. The aircraft must be certified airworthy before any flight.”
While regretting the development, he added, “It is not in our interest as an airline to delay or cancel flights. Whenever this happens, we are losing money. What we do is a service to humanity, a clear service to our Nigerian people, and we won’t want to delay or aggravate your anger at any time.”
