Nigerian Actress Simidrey Stranded in South Africa, Calls Out Airline Over Travel Ordeal

Nigerian actress and on-air personality Simidrey has shared a distressing experience with an airline after being stranded in South Africa for more than 24 hours, despite holding a fully paid and confirmed business class ticket.

According to her account, the airline repeatedly denied her boarding, citing what she described as an internal error. Even though her ticket was valid in the airline’s system, she was allegedly told her name was missing from the operating airline’s manifest. Simidrey was placed on multiple waitlists and standby flights, but none allowed her to board.

The situation escalated when she was offered a single seat on the next flight — but only in economy — and under the condition that she classify it as a “voluntary downgrade” and waive her right to compensation. Simidrey described the demand as coercive, noting that she had paid for business class and was being pressured to give up her rights simply to get home.

Adding to the ordeal, Simidrey revealed that she is a breastfeeding mother trying to return to her baby, making the experience physically exhausting and emotionally draining. In an emotional video shared online, she called for urgent accountability, emphasizing that the airline’s treatment goes beyond inconvenience and signals a concerning lack of transparency and care.

Opinion: Simidrey’s experience highlights a recurring problem in air travel: the disconnect between passenger rights and airline operations. While technical errors can happen, the way they are handled — especially for vulnerable passengers like new mothers — speaks volumes about corporate responsibility. No one should have to negotiate for basic rights or comfort that they’ve already paid for.

Airlines must remember that passengers aren’t just booking seats; they’re trusting them with time, safety, and personal well-being. When that trust is broken, especially under coercive or dismissive conditions, it not only inconveniences travelers but erodes confidence in the entire system. This incident should be a wake-up call for stricter enforcement of passenger rights and accountability, ensuring that paying customers aren’t forced to pay twice — once for a ticket and again in stress and emotional toll.