FAAN MD Highlights Aviation Infrastructure Upgrades, Passenger Experience Improvements at Nigeria’s Airports

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enhancing aviation infrastructure, safety, and passenger experience across the country’s airports.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in collaboration with its agencies, Kuku provided a comprehensive update on ongoing and completed projects, as well as future initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s airport operations.

Kuku acknowledged the progress made in runway rehabilitation across major airports, including Kano, Abuja, Enugu, and Owerri, while noting that further improvements were still required in Enugu.

She also addressed concerns raised in aviation forums regarding runway friction tests and de-rubberisation, stressing that FAAN had been consistent in maintaining and cleaning runways over the past year.

“We have been extremely consistent in our efforts towards runway maintenance, including de-rubberisation and friction tests. Additional equipment has also been deployed for friction testing, and our operators can attest to the ongoing activities in this regard,” she stated.

Recognising the persistent challenge of bird strikes, Kuku highlighted FAAN’s proactive measures, including collaboration with local communities to manage waste disposal and sewage treatment, as well as implementing a waste separation and recycling programme.

“Our engagement with communities near airports is crucial in addressing environmental issues that attract birds. We are also prioritising grass management and rolling out recycling initiatives to further enhance our environmental stewardship,” she noted.

Security remains a key focus for FAAN, with the deployment of advanced explosive detection screening equipment at international airports.

Kuku revealed that the agency had significantly strengthened its aviation security workforce, with over 3,000 personnel trained and recertified last year.

“From a security perspective, we have deployed a range of explosive detection screening devices for both cabin and baggage screening. Additionally, for the first time, we successfully trained and recertified more than 3,000 aviation security personnel,” she disclosed.

On capacity building, she revealed that FAAN had trained over 3,238 personnel, including operators and handlers working on the airside.

She also announced that Nigeria would be hosting the first-ever International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-certified Airport Management Programme, a milestone for the country’s aviation sector.

Kuku reported that FAAN had completed the recertification of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, with the support of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and that work was ongoing to certify Kano and Port Harcourt airports.

“We have also made significant strides in emergency management, earning recognition from Airports Council International for our resilience programmes,” she added.

FAAN’s efforts in improving facilities for Hajj operations were commended, with the successful rehabilitation of Hajj terminals in Kaduna, Ilorin, Maiduguri, Yola, Abuja, Katsina, and Kano.

Kuku announced plans to complete similar upgrades in Sokoto, Gombe, Lagos, and Bauchi ahead of this year’s Hajj season.

Additionally, she detailed various terminal infrastructure projects, including power supply upgrades in Lagos, Enugu, and Kano, and the modernisation of terminal facilities in Abuja.

“In Abuja, we have significantly improved the terminal’s ambience with better lighting and an upgraded cooling system. While there is still work to be done, the improvements have made a noticeable difference in the passenger experience,” she noted.

Kuku highlighted FAAN’s commitment to ensuring accessibility for passengers with disabilities, revealing that Project Gateway, a special programme catering to passengers with special needs and families requiring assistance, was being integrated into ongoing airport development plans.

“We are complying with the Honourable Minister’s directive to enhance accessibility for passengers with disabilities, and Project Gateway will be a key driver in this initiative,” she affirmed.

She also provided updates on airside infrastructure enhancements, including runway and taxiway remarking across airports, airfield lighting upgrades at Lagos and Abuja airports, and the extension of these improvements to other secondary airports.

“In Ilorin, for the first time, we successfully conducted night operations during Hajj, thanks to the airfield lighting upgrades,” she remarked.

To address congestion at Abuja Airport, FAAN recently opened an international car park to ease traffic flow.

Recognising Abuja’s high passenger volume, Kuku noted that efforts were underway to implement modified traffic plans while major infrastructure projects progressed.

“We have also started deploying Wi-Fi at our airports. In Lagos International Airport, Wi-Fi is now available, and we are working towards expanding this service to other airports,” she revealed.

The FAAN MD reiterated FAAN’s commitment to enhancing passenger experience as a primary focus in 2025, ensuring that Nigeria’s airports meet international standards in service delivery and operational efficiency.

“Our goal is to provide an improved experience for passengers, and we are taking concrete steps to achieve that,” she concluded.

The forum provided a platform for aviation stakeholders to engage with FAAN and other agencies, offering insights into the government’s vision for a more efficient and passenger-friendly aviation sector in Nigeria.