British Airways diverts Abuja-bound flight over security concerns -

A British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Abuja on Thursday was diverted to Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos over security concerns at the country’s capital.

Checks by BusinessDay showed that airline had to change flight course upon entering Nigerian airspace on Friday morning.

There were complaints from some passengers on the diverted flight that the flight was diverted to Lagos after short notice via email.

The development affected the airline’s Friday flight from the capital as it’s 8am Abuja-London flight was delayed till 1pm on Friday. There are indications that more flights will be delayed following the affected schedules.

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A staff of the airline confirmed that it’s flight from Abuja was delayed on Friday but not cancelled.

Adetutu Otuyalo, British Airways regional commercial manager West Africa, stated that the airline is working closely with government authorities following the Foreign Commonwealth Office advice against all but essential travel to Abuja.

“We are working closely with government authorities following the Foreign Commonwealth Office advice against all but essential travel to Abuja.

“Safety is at the heart of everything we do and we will continue to monitor the situation closely,” Otuyalo said.

The UK government had earlier advised its nationals to stay clear of Abuja due to potential terrorist attacks.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.