In what could arguably be regarded as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has attained the ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) certifications.
The certificates were presented to the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, at the authority’s headquarters in Lagos, marking the culmination of months of dedicated effort, rigorous internal auditing, and organisational improvements
ISO 9001:2015 is an international standard that shows an organisation has strong systems in place to consistently deliver quality services, meet customer expectations, and continuously improve how it operates, while ISO 14001:2015 confirms that the organisation manages its activities in an environmentally responsible way by reducing waste and pollution, complying with environmental laws, and promoting sustainable operations.
The dual certification which is granted by MSECB, Canada, a leading certification body, which specialises in ensuring top-tier ISO certifications confirm that FAAN’s operational and environmental management systems now meet globally recognised standards, placing Nigeria’s airport authority firmly among modern, competitive, and forward-looking airport organisations worldwide.
The certifications represent a significant milestone for the authority under the leadership of Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku.
Widely praised for her commitment to airport development and human capacity building, Mrs. Kuku’s tenure has also been distinguished by a strong focus on institutional reform, accountability, and performance excellence. In December 2025, she marked two years in office as MD/CE of FAAN, receiving accolades from staff, industry observers, and even critics.
Much of the praise centres on her insistence on process discipline and international benchmarking, which has steered FAAN towards systems that prioritise consistency, transparency, and long-term sustainability.Industry stakeholders note that the certifications crown a long and deliberate transformation within FAAN, anchored on the successful implementation of an Integrated Management System (IMS).
This system harmonised operations, strengthened internal controls, and institutionalised a culture of continuous improvement across the authority.
The result is an authority that has moved decisively beyond reactive management to proactive, standards-driven governance.
The implications of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 extend well beyond certificates on the wall.
ISO 9001:2015 ensures that FAAN operates a quality management system focused on customer satisfaction, risk-based thinking, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
In practical terms, it promotes standardised service delivery, reduced operational inconsistencies, and enhanced accountability.
ISO 14001:2015, meanwhile, affirms FAAN’s commitment to responsible environmental management—covering waste control, regulatory compliance, resource efficiency, and mitigation of environmental impact across airport operations.
Together, the certifications strengthen FAAN’s credibility with international airlines, development partners, regulators, and the travelling public, while positioning Nigeria’s airports as viable hubs in an increasingly competitive global aviation market.What Next for FAAN?With the ISO certifications secured, aviation stakeholders will definitely be keeping a keen eye on seeing how FAAN builds on the strong foundation it has laid in the past months.
The challenge will be sustaining and deepening these standards through continuous audits, skills development, environmental innovation, and customer-focused reforms but with Kuku at the helm of affairs there a positive indications that those standards can only go higher.
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