The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development have strengthened collaboration to accelerate ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s aviation sector, following a strategic visit by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, to FAAN headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, April 20, 2026.
The high-level engagement signalled a renewed push to align policy direction with operational execution, as both institutions focused on improving efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery across the country’s airports.
The meeting brought together FAAN’s leadership, led by Managing Director/Chief Executive Olubunmi Kuku, alongside directors and senior ministry officials.
During the session, Kuku presented FAAN’s operational framework and strategic priorities, underscoring its central role in managing Nigeria’s passenger and cargo airport infrastructure.
She also highlighted key challenges facing the Authority, including pension liabilities, ongoing financial reconciliations with the Ministry of Finance, rising energy costs, and increasing security demands requiring continuous personnel training and reorientation.
Despite these constraints, the FAAN boss pointed to measurable gains, particularly in human capital development. She revealed that thousands of personnel and industry stakeholders have undergone targeted training programmes covering aviation security, engineering, airport operations, safety, and environmental management—reinforcing the Authority’s commitment to professionalism and global best practices.
Kuku further cited improvements in passenger facilitation, enhanced staff welfare, and a positive shift in organisational culture driven by FAAN’s Acculturalisation Programme. She also announced the successful recertification of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, a development that underscores compliance with international safety and security standards, as well as improved inter-agency cooperation.
In his remarks, Kambari commended FAAN’s leadership for its resilience and reform-oriented approach, while outlining key policy priorities to strengthen institutional performance. He called for the expansion of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks to attract investment, improved transparency in contract processes, and the professional certification of procurement personnel in line with global standards.
He also stressed the importance of strategic workforce planning in line with fiscal realities and urged a comprehensive review of energy generation and management systems to ensure long-term operational sustainability.
The visit concluded with an inspection tour of facilities at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where the Permanent Secretary received briefings on ongoing projects and operational systems, providing firsthand insight into FAAN’s infrastructure and service delivery environment.
The engagement ultimately reinforced a shared commitment by both the Ministry and FAAN to deepen reforms, strengthen governance, and position Nigeria’s aviation sector for greater competitiveness and sustainable growth.