FAAN Moves to Rid Airport Road of Illegal Businesses, Plans Sanitation Drive for Aviation Safety

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to clear illegal structures and unauthorised business activities along the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) road in Lagos, as part of its broader environmental and safety measures aimed at ensuring secure and orderly airport operations.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing to sensitise journalists about the ongoing 2025 FAAN Safety Week, which runs from Monday, 10th October to Wednesday, 12th October 2025, in Lagos.

Kuku identified tanker drivers, limousine operators, bus drivers, and other informal business owners operating along the airport corridor as key impediments to aviation safety.

She stressed that the Authority had issued multiple warnings and formal notices to the affected parties, urging them to vacate the premises to avert safety risks and environmental degradation.

“We also have neighbours who are major encroachers, and I believe that is what we see on the airport road. There are lots of cars and vehicles there,” she said. “We have reached out to various organisations such as the tanker drivers, limousine parks, and bus operators, continuously informing them through letters about the need to move away from these locations because it is unsafe.”

According to Kuku, the activities of these encroachers not only compromise safety but also create unsightly and hazardous conditions along the airport approach roads. She revealed that FAAN had embarked on a preliminary sanitation assessment to identify and engage the occupants before initiating enforcement actions.

“Over the last few weeks, we have carried out a sanitation exercise to understand who the inhabitants are and to give them further notice. We have also engaged the Lagos State Government (LASG) and federal security agencies to begin clearing that space. This is another appeal for all to move away voluntarily, as we will soon embark on forceful action,” she warned.

The FAAN boss further noted that both the Lagos and Abuja airports are located within high-dirt environments, a situation that heightens safety risks and contributes to increased wildlife activities – a major factor in bird strikes that threaten flight operations.

She emphasised that maintaining a clean and secure environment was essential not only for aesthetic reasons but also for aviation safety.

“Environmental degradation creates a poor atmosphere and increases wildlife activity, which can lead to potential bird strikes for airlines. FAAN will continue to create public awareness within neighbouring communities to encourage them to maintain safe surroundings,” Kuku added.

Offering a holistic perspective on aviation safety management, Kuku advocated for deeper collaboration among stakeholders, including lawmakers, regulators, operators, and airlines.

“There should be a better understanding and awareness for both legislators, regulators, operators, and airlines. This will put us all on a level playing field where everyone understands the rules, regulations, and procedures, ensuring we manage affairs safely and securely,” she said.

As part of the week-long activities, Kuku also held an interactive session with FAAN Directors on the operations and best practices of the Safety Management System (SMS), designed to keep the Authority aligned with international safety standards.

Speaking on the theme of the 2025 FAAN Safety Week, “Navigating Conflicts for a Safer Aviation Industry in Nigeria,” Kuku explained that the focus reflected FAAN’s continued dedication to safety, collaboration, and professional well-being within the nation’s aviation ecosystem.

She underscored that safety transcends technology, highlighting the human dimension of communication, trust, and teamwork as essential to maintaining a crisis-free operational environment.

“A crisis-free environment is highly needed,” she cautioned. “Where conflict arises, safety can be jeopardised.”

The FAAN Safety Week continues through Wednesday, featuring workshops, stakeholder dialogues, and awareness campaigns centred on building a safer, cleaner, and more efficient aviation environment across Nigeria.