FAAN, Aviation Ministry Forge Stronger Collaboration on Reforms, Sustainability During Permanent Secretary’s Visit
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to institutional reform and improved service delivery following a strategic visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, to its headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.
The high-level familiarisation visit, held on April 20, 2026, brought into focus the need for stronger synergy between the Ministry and FAAN as both institutions work towards repositioning Nigeria’s aviation industry for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
The meeting was attended by FAAN’s management team, led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku, alongside directors and senior officials from the Ministry.
In her presentation, Mrs Kuku provided a comprehensive overview of FAAN’s operational responsibilities, emphasising its critical role in managing and maintaining the country’s airport infrastructure for both passenger and cargo operations.
She highlighted the Authority’s strategic direction, while also acknowledging the realities of operating within a challenging environment marked by pension liabilities, financial reconciliation processes, increasing energy costs, and the dynamic nature of aviation security, which requires continuous personnel training and behavioural adjustments.
She noted, however, that FAAN has continued to make measurable strides across key operational areas. A major highlight of the Authority’s progress is its sustained investment in human capital development, with extensive training programmes designed to enhance the skills of staff and stakeholders in areas such as aviation security, engineering, airport operations, safety standards, environmental management, and overall capacity development.
According to the FAAN boss, ongoing reforms have also led to noticeable improvements in passenger experience and staff welfare. She attributed part of this success to the Authority’s Acculturalisation Programme, which has helped instil a renewed sense of professionalism and service orientation among personnel.
Mrs Kuku further disclosed that two of Nigeria’s flagship airports – the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport – have recently achieved recertification, reinforcing FAAN’s compliance with international aviation safety and security standards.
She described the achievement as a product of strengthened collaboration among aviation stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
Responding, Mr Kambari commended FAAN’s leadership for its resilience and forward-looking approach, particularly in navigating operational and financial constraints. He emphasised the need to consolidate these gains through targeted policy actions that would further enhance institutional performance.
Among his key recommendations was the expansion of FAAN’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to unlock new streams of investment for infrastructure development.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring transparency and efficiency in procurement and contract processes, as well as the need for professional certification of procurement personnel to meet international benchmarks.
The Permanent Secretary additionally underscored the importance of aligning workforce planning with current fiscal realities, noting that effective human resource management is essential to long-term sustainability.
He further called for a comprehensive reassessment of FAAN’s energy consumption and power generation strategies to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
As part of the visit, Mr Kambari conducted an inspection of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where he was briefed on ongoing development projects and operational systems. The tour offered practical insight into the Authority’s day-to-day activities and infrastructure management efforts.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment by both the Ministry and FAAN to deepen reforms, strengthen governance, and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s aviation sector into a more efficient, competitive, and globally aligned industry.
