The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku has stated that the agency seeks investment and partnership in the area of operations.
This is just as she also said that FAAN seeks global expertise in management, ground handling, and logistics.
She urged investors to partner with the agency to enhance efficiency and share in the profitability of a growing market.
She said this in.her welcome address at the 2025 FAAN National Aviation Conference ( FNAC) with the theme,
“Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership & Global Engagements” held in Lagos today.
Besides , the FAAN boss said that the agency also needs Investment in Infrastructure, adding that the gap between the agency’s current capacity and projected demand is the opportunity in terminal modernisation, cargo facilities, and airport cities.
FAAN , Kuku said needs global engagement in technology ranging from biometrics to sustainable solutions, urging investors to invest in the future of African to travel with us
“At FAAN, we have built our strategy on six (6) 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 our commitment is already yielding results:
“In the past two years, a record 7,320 staff members have been trained by our ICAO-accredited FAAN Training School. Groundbreaking partnerships, including our Memorandum of Understanding with ATOM Aviation Training Services from Dubai, have significantly enhanced our journey towards global excellence. These collaborations not only open doors to new opportunities but also fill us with optimism for the future,” he said
Kuku informed that the agency’s Culture Change programme has successfully instilled a new spirit of service in 4,000 employees, thereby significantly improving its service quality.
” We have upgraded to state-of-the-art screening machines at our flagship international airports and have piloted biometric solutions, with plans to move towards full automation, covering everything from check-ins to parking.
Additionally, Kuku said, “we have initiated the vital process of obtaining ISO certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for FAAN, adding that this strategic move aims to enhance its international rating and restore investors’ confidence, “
FAAN, she said is ready, calling on Investors who are ready to
help build the future to take advantage of the abundant potential as the agency are offering concrete pathways:
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?
To truly ascend, we need all hands on deck. This is why I make a direct appeal to our valued unions: embrace this new era of collaboration. Your understanding and partnership are the bedrock upon which we will build. The private investment we seek is not a replacement for our workforce; it is the catalyst for its growth. It will create better facilities, more advanced systems, and ultimately, more and better jobs for Nigerians. Let us work together with a shared vision to welcome the capital that will secure our collective future.
This conference is our deal room for the future. Over the next two days, we will move from dialogue to deals. You will hear from our Ministry on policy, from the NCAA on regulation, and from financiers on ready capital.
To our international partners, your presence here is a testament to your confidence in us. Let us convert that confidence into commitment.
So, I challenge you all: Be bold. Ask the tough questions. And see Nigeria not for the challenges of the past, but for the boundless opportunities of the future.
She further called on investors to join hands with FAAN to build the partnerships that will elevate Nigerian aviation and deliver sustainable returns for all.
Now, let us speak candidly about Nigeria. We are clear about our reality: infrastructure gaps, foreign exchange pressures, and the imperative for modernisation.
Every “gap”, Kuku said is a clearly marked space for transformative returns, adding that the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has affirmed that for every dollar invested in aviation, nearly four dollars are generated in broader economic growth, noting that there is no other place to find such a compelling multiplier but in the aviation sector
According to her, “We are not starting from scratch. Under the visionary leadership of the Federal Government, we have laid a robust foundation. As we speak, six (6) airports and numerous runways are undergoing a government-funded transformation. This is a direct investment in our shared future, and we are grateful for this decisive commitment. Thank you, Mr President.
On.the conference, the FAAN boss said that We the agency gathered the brightest minds and most influential leaders from across the global aviation industry and that the agency is honoured by their presence.
“We convene under a theme that is both our destination and our journey: “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership & Global Engagements.”
“We meet at a pivotal moment for global aviation. The industry is not just recovering; it is soaring to new heights,” Kuku said.
Quoting IATA, Kuku said that the global passenger traffic will reach 4.99 billion this year, decisively surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
She noted that looking further ahead, the Airports Council International(ACI) forecasts a surge to 9.7 billion passengers by 2040.
She said that the centre of this next wave of growth is Africa, stressing that this is not just a statistic but a signal.
According to her, “It is a signal of billions of journeys, connections, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked. At the heart of this opportunity lies Nigeria.”
Present at the conference are President, Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator, George Akume, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Ibrahim Kana and Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr .Jumoke Oduwole.
Other dignitaries who were at the conference are : the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Abdullahi Idris Garba,
the Chairman of the FAAN Governing Board, His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, members of the FAAN Governing Board, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang,,the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Executive Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr Umar Farouk,
the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike,the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jr and Registrar of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi,
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