FAAN boss woos investors into Nigeria’s aviation
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has urged investors, global partners and local unions to seize the “unparalleled investment portfolio” that Nigeria’s aviation sector now presents.
Speaking at the (FAAN) National Aviation Conference (FNAC) at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island Monday, under the theme “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership & Global Engagements,” Kuku told a gathering that included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume), Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, senior legislators, state governors and leaders of the global aviation community that the industry is at a pivotal moment.
“The industry is not just recovering; it is soaring to new heights,” Kuku said, citing IATA’s projection that global passenger traffic will reach 4.99 billion this year, surpassing pre‑pandemic levels, and the Airports Council International’s forecast of 9.7 billion passengers by 2040, with Africa at the centre of that growth.
She highlighted Nigeria’s own challenges, infrastructure gaps, foreign‑exchange pressures and the need for modernisation, but framed them as opportunities.
“Every ‘gap’ is a clearly marked space for transformative returns,” she asserted, stressing that: “the International Civil Aviation Organisation affirms that for every dollar invested in aviation, nearly four dollars are generated in broader economic growth. Where else can you find such a compelling multiplier?”
Kuku outlined FAAN’s six strategic pillars: Customer‑Centric Service Delivery, Operational Excellence and Innovation, Effective Governance and Workforce Excellence, Airport Viability Infrastructure, Modernisation and Expansion, and Safety and Security, and reported tangible results.
In the past two years, 7,320 staff have been trained at the ICAO‑accredited FAAN Training School, a Memorandum of Understanding with ATOM Aviation Training Services of Dubai has been signed, and a Culture Change programme has reached 4,000 employees, improving service quality.
State‑of‑the‑art screening machines and biometric pilots are already in place, with plans for full automation, and FAAN is pursuing ISO certification to boost its international rating and restore investor confidence.
Turning to the investor community, Kuku posed a direct question: “Will you help us build the future?”
She presented three concrete pathways: investment in infrastructure such as terminals, cargo facilities and airport cities; partnership in operations, including management, ground handling and logistics; and global engagement in technology, ranging from biometrics to sustainable solutions.
“We are offering concrete pathways: investment in infrastructure, partnership in operations, and global engagement in technology,” she said.
“The fundamentals are undeniable: Africa’s largest population, a growing economy, and a strategic geographic position. The demand is here. Growth is inevitable. The only question is, who will have the foresight to be in the cockpit with us?” she queried.
Kuku also appealed to industrial unions, emphasising that private investment is “the catalyst for its growth,” creating better facilities, advanced systems and more jobs for Nigerians. “Your understanding and partnership are the bedrock upon which we will build,” she added.
The conference, described as a “deal room for the future,” will feature policy talks from the Ministry of Aviation, regulatory updates from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and financing options from potential financiers. International partners were urged to convert confidence into commitment.
In closing, Kuku challenged attendees: “Be bold. Ask the tough questions. And see Nigeria not for the challenges of the past, but for the boundless opportunities of the future. Let us build the partnerships that will elevate Nigerian aviation and deliver sustainable returns for all.”
The two‑day event continues at the Eko Convention Centre, with expectations that the dialogue will translate into concrete agreements aimed at positioning Nigeria as a key hub in Africa’s aviation expansion.
