Game Changer in Aviation Safety: Olubunmi Kuku’s Unprecedented Impact on Firefighting at FAAN
Barely a year into her tenure, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has been hailed as a transformational leader whose policies and reforms have ushered in a new era of progress for the Nigerian Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA) and the aviation safety community at large.
According to the National President of NAFSA, Comrade Ugbeikwu Sunday, the appointment of Mrs Kuku in early 2024 marked a defining moment for the nearly three-decade-old association.
The first meeting between the NAFSA leadership and Mrs Kuku in January 2024 proved to be a turning point, unlocking an array of developments and partnerships that had remained elusive for years.
“NAFSA has not experienced this kind of developmental and progressive stride in almost 30 years of its existence. Mrs Kuku brought the wealth of private sector experience into FAAN, and the results are visible to the blind and audible to the deaf,” said Comrade Ugbeikwu.
From prioritising health and welfare, to ensuring job security, professional training, and structural reform, Mrs Kuku’s tenure has been marked by several unprecedented milestone achievements.
In a historic shift, FAAN under Mrs Kuku has implemented annual cancer awareness campaigns and regular medical check-ups for firefighters. The ongoing Firefighters Medical Certification Exercise across Nigerian airports reinforces her commitment to workforce wellness.
“Only a healthy workforce can guarantee a productive workforce,” Mrs Kuku asserted, underscoring her human-centred approach.
Professional development has received a considerable boost under her leadership. One of the most lauded reforms is the prompt disbursement of training allowances before course invitations – a stark contrast to the previous practice where firefighters bore personal financial burdens for compulsory training.
Further enhancing capacity-building, Mrs Kuku ensured that the crucial Competency Training – once conducted abroad in Douala, Cameroon – is now being held locally at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, where FAAN Firefighters now benefit from access to modern Multi-purpose Aircraft Fire Simulators.
Mrs Kuku also addressed the controversial redeployment of firefighters to Enugu and Port Harcourt airports. The exercise, which had drawn criticism from NAFSA for depleting manpower in 13 other airports, was reversed under her leadership – restoring normalcy and security to affected personnel.
The strategic collaboration between FAAN and NCAT, initiated under her watch, has been praised as a game-changer. This synergy not only made domestic competency training a reality but also reinforced best practices across the aviation sector.
Moreover, her decision to commence the long-overdue renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, stemmed from safety concerns identified by NAFSA.
The MD’s bold move to renovate the ageing infrastructure has been applauded as a demonstration of her uncompromising stance on safety and passenger comfort.
One of the most celebrated milestones came with the 2025 Management Promotions. In what NAFSA described as the largest in FAAN’s history, over 125 Firefighters were elevated from Grade Level 14 to 15. The gesture has lifted morale and demonstrated Kuku’s sensitivity to staff aspirations.
Promotions, previously perceived as elusive and riddled with mixed feelings, were executed with transparency and fairness.
In summarising her impact, Comrade Ugbeikwu Sunday said:
“How could NAFSA have achieved anything without Mrs Kuku? She is the game changer. Her support and commitment to the success of NAFSA have been immense. We consider her a God-sent, because we would not have achieved anything without her. She is phenomenal.”
The alliance between FAAN and NAFSA has never been stronger, and the accomplishments realised in such a short time are testaments to the visionary leadership of Mrs Olubunmi Kuku.
With a relentless focus on safety, professionalism, welfare, and infrastructural renewal, Mrs Kuku is not just leading FAAN – she is shaping the future of aviation safety in Nigeria.
