The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has outlined a comprehensive strategy to transform the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, into a safe and economically viable aviation hub.
Kuku disclosed this during her address titled “Building MMIA into a Safe & Economically Viable Hub” at the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative’s (ASRTI) first-quarter business breakfast meeting held on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos.
She noted that Nigeria is at a critical point in its aviation development, with strong potential to emerge as a leading hub in Africa due to its large population, strategic geographic location, and increasing demand for air travel.
According to her, the federal government is pursuing a dual-hub strategy anchored on the MMIA, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. While Lagos will continue to serve as the primary commercial gateway handling most international passenger and cargo traffic, Abuja is expected to complement it as a political and administrative hub with growing international connectivity.
Kuku emphasised that infrastructure modernisation remains central to achieving this vision. She highlighted ongoing upgrades under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Project, including terminal improvements, enhanced runway capacity, and the deployment of advanced air traffic management systems to boost safety and efficiency.
She listed key developments at MMIA to include expansion projects to increase passenger throughput, an 8,000-square-metre temporary departure hall capable of handling up to 1,500 passengers at peak periods, and plans for a monorail system to improve terminal connectivity.
Other upgrades, she said, involve the installation of Category II LED airfield lighting on Runways 18L/36R and taxiways, deployment of an Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), improved access control systems, and expansion of aircraft parking areas through the relocation of obstructing hangars.
The FAAN boss also disclosed plans for the installation of multiple avio bridges to enable simultaneous aircraft turnaround, as well as the upgrade of cargo terminal facilities and integration of air cargo logistics systems.
On safety, Kuku stressed that regulatory compliance remains non-negotiable, noting that Nigeria continues to align with global aviation standards under the supervision of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). She added that strengthening safety oversight and security frameworks is key to boosting confidence among international airlines and passengers.
She further highlighted the importance of connectivity, stating that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is working to expand both long-haul and intra-African routes, while leveraging initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to liberalise air travel across the continent.
Kuku also underscored the need to develop strong national carriers, revealing that efforts are underway to support at least two Nigerian airlines to evolve into national flag carriers capable of driving passenger and cargo traffic.
In addition, she said FAAN is expanding focus beyond passenger movement to cargo and logistics, with plans to develop modern cargo terminals, cold-chain systems, and position Nigeria as a hub for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services.
She noted that enhancing passenger experience is equally critical, with ongoing improvements aimed at streamlining check-in and immigration processes, upgrading transit facilities, and boosting commercial offerings across airports.
Kuku concluded that policy reforms and increased investment particularly through public-private partnerships—will be vital in creating a business-friendly environment capable of attracting both local and international investors.
“Nigeria’s ambition to become an aviation hub is not aspirational – it is achievable”, she said, expressing confidence that sustained investment, effective execution, and collaboration among stakeholders will position the country as a gateway to Africa.