On January 8, 2026, popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola publicly accused United Nigeria Airlines of gross negligence after experiencing repeated flight delays and cancellations that left her stranded at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado-Ekiti for over 24 hours.
In an emotional Instagram live video and subsequent posts, Ogunmola broke down in tears while narrating her ordeal, highlighting the severe impact on her professional commitments and personal safety.
The actress explained that she had traveled to Ekiti State for a work assignment and was scheduled to return to Lagos on January 7, 2026, to commence filming on a new movie production. However, her flight was cancelled without prior notice, and a rescheduled flight the following day suffered multiple delays—pushed from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., then to 12:00 p.m., and later to 5:30 p.m.—before being cancelled again.
Ogunmola revealed that she had already invested between ₦15 million and ₦20 million in the project, including payments to cast, crew, location bookings, and logistics, all of which were jeopardized by her inability to be on set for the first day of shooting. "I've cried my eyes out this morning. I have been here since yesterday," she said in the video, expressing profound frustration.
The most distressing aspect, according to the actress, was the airline's alleged lack of empathy, remorse, or effective communication. She claimed staff provided no clear explanations for the disruptions and offered little assistance, leaving passengers, including herself, in limbo at the relatively new airport.
Faced with ongoing uncertainty, Ogunmola stated she had no choice but to consider traveling by road back to Lagos—a journey she described as highly unsafe due to security concerns on Nigerian highways. "I have to go by road which is very unsafe," she lamented, adding that she was documenting the incident for legal purposes.
In a strong statement, the actress threatened legal action, declaring, "You will hear from my lawyers. They are not remorseful, they are unfair and they don’t have any form of decency." This outburst has sparked widespread discussions on social media about passenger rights and the reliability of domestic airlines in Nigeria.
The Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, which commenced commercial operations in December 2025 with United Nigeria Airlines operating inaugural flights, is still in its early phase of passenger services. While the facility represents a significant infrastructure boost for Ekiti State, teething problems with flight schedules on less busy routes are not uncommon in Nigeria's aviation sector.
United Nigeria Airlines, a private carrier established in 2020 and known for its Embraer ERJ-145 fleet, has faced criticism in the past for delays and cancellations. According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reports from 2025, the airline ranked among those with higher disruption rates, often attributed to operational challenges like maintenance, weather, or logistical issues.
As of January 8, 2026, United Nigeria Airlines had not issued a public response to Ogunmola's allegations. The incident has reignited conversations about the need for improved customer service, compensation policies, and regulatory oversight in Nigeria's domestic aviation industry, where passengers frequently endure similar experiences.
Ogunmola, known for roles in films such as Reach (2020), The Art of Letting Go (2024), and Ajosepo (2024), is also a producer with a growing reputation in Nollywood. Her emotional appeal has resonated with fans and industry colleagues, many of whom expressed solidarity on social media platforms.
This event underscores broader challenges in Nigerian air travel, including frequent disruptions that affect professionals across sectors. Passenger advocacy groups have long called for stricter enforcement of rights under the NCAA's Passenger Bill of Rights, which mandates refunds, accommodations, or alternatives in cases of significant delays or cancellations.
The story continues to trend online, with calls for the airline to address the complaint promptly and provide compensation. Ogunmola's decision to go public highlights the power of celebrity voices in holding service providers accountable.
