The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has set a new course for the nation's aviation sector, driven by a revitalised leadership team and a clear vision for global collaboration. This new direction was prominently showcased at the 3rd FAAN National Aviation Conference held recently in Lagos.
A New Era Under Ganduje and Kuku
The conference, held on 17th November 2025 at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, marked a significant moment for an agency now under fresh stewardship. For nearly fourteen years prior, FAAN operated without a Governing Board. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu corrected this anomaly by appointing a board led by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as Chairman and installing Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Ganduje opened the conference by framing its purpose: to create a forum for stakeholders to discuss policy, challenges, and crucially, investment opportunities within Nigeria's aviation ecosystem. He described the conference theme, “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry Through Investment Partnerships & Global Engagements,” as both apt and timely.
Showcasing Tinubu's Aviation Reforms
Using the platform, Dr. Ganduje presented a progress report on the Tinubu administration's 30-month impact on aviation. He credited Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo SAN and MD Kuku for guiding tangible improvements.
Key infrastructure upgrades highlighted include:
- Substantial rehabilitation work at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (Lagos), and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja).
- Plans for a second runway at the Kano airport.
Ganduje explained that the new FAAN Board had begun nationwide oversight visits to airports across all six geopolitical zones. A fact-finding tour of Lagos's MMA was conducted just before the conference. “The first-hand experience garnered during such visits helped us in shaping the discussions,” he stated, allowing for frank and unbiased deliberation on industry issues.
Kuku's Call for Global Partnerships
Echoing the call for collaboration, Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku made a clarion call to global investors. She emphasized that “strategic partnerships and renewed stakeholder collaboration are urgently needed” to propel Nigeria's aviation into a new growth era.
Kuku presented compelling data to underscore the opportunity:
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts 4.99 billion global air passengers in 2025.
- Airports Council International projects 9.7 billion passengers by 2040, with Africa driving much of this growth.
“Africa is the next frontier, and at the heart of this opportunity lies Nigeria,” she declared.
Tangible Progress and Workforce Development
Beyond infrastructure, the FAAN leadership detailed significant investments in human capital and operations:
Mrs. Kuku revealed that in the past two years, FAAN's accredited training school has trained 7,320 aviation personnel, boosting technical capacity. A Culture Change programme has also reshaped the work ethics of over 4,000 FAAN employees, fostering a more customer-focused workforce.
Furthermore, FAAN has strengthened international ties, signing a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding with ATOM Aviation Training Services in Dubai to enhance global best practices in Nigerian airports.
Dr. Ganduje concluded with a firm commitment, stating the Board and Management's dedication to delivering world-class airport infrastructure, boosting operational efficiency, and enhancing passenger experience. He assured that before President Tinubu's 3rd anniversary in office, all airports across Nigeria's six zones would see improved maintenance and standards.
The conference closed with stakeholder optimism that Nigeria, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda's policy directives, is on a clear path to becoming the leading aviation hub in West and Central sub-Saharan Africa.
