Nollywood Actress Bolaji Ogunmola Criticises United Nigeria Airlines After Flight Cancellation Disrupts Film Shoot
Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has publicly criticised United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) after a scheduled flight from Ekiti to Lagos was cancelled without prior notice, leaving her stranded and jeopardising a major film production.
Ogunmola took to social media on Thursday with a video recorded at the airport, where she tearfully recounted her ordeal. The actress explained that her flight had been delayed and ultimately cancelled, despite having multiple rescheduled departure times, and that she received no advance communication from the airline.
The disruption had serious professional and financial consequences for Ogunmola, who said she had invested between ₦15 million and ₦20 million in the movie project. She lamented that she had actors, production crew, and equipment ready in Lagos, but was still stuck at the Ekiti airport as the shoot’s first day slipped away.
“I don’t want it to look like I just want to call anybody out,” the actress said, describing how she “cried her eyes out” while watching her schedule unravel. She added that, even after spending the night in a hotel to catch a morning flight, departure times were repeatedly pushed, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., then to noon, and later to 5:30 p.m, before she was left with no reliable options.
Ogunmola accused the airline of failing to inform passengers about changes via texts or calls, saying the lack of communication compounded the stress of the situation. Feeling “literally stuck,” she said she was forced to consider road travel to Lagos, despite safety concerns, in order to meet her work obligations.
Describing the incident as an attack on her livelihood, Ogunmola vowed to pursue the matter legally, insisting that the airline’s handling of the cancellations was unfair and disruptive.
In response, UNA spokesperson Chibuike Uloka acknowledged the flight issue but attributed it to an unscheduled technical inspection ordered by the airline’s engineering team. He defended the airline’s emphasis on safety and said a station manager had briefed Ogunmola on the situation, countering claims that no explanation was provided.
Uloka also stated that flight delays and cancellations are not in the airline’s interest, noting that such disruptions cause financial losses for the carrier, and reiterated that passenger safety remains the top priority.