Kuku lists operational pressures on FAAN as Permanent Secretary tours Lagos Airport

The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has  acknowledged financial reconciliations with the Ministry of Finance, rising energy costs, pension obligations and evolving security demands as prevailing operational pressures on the organisation.

Kuku listed these pressures while providing insight into FAAN’s workforce capacity during a familiarisation visit on Monday, April 20, 2026, by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, to the FAAN headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

The FAAN MD outlined the authority’s operational framework, strategic priorities, and critical role in managing Nigeria’s passenger and cargo airport infrastructure, saying that evolving security demands requiring continuous personnel training and attitudinal reorientation.

Despite these constraints, Kuku highlighted measurable progress across key performance areas, particularly in human capital development. She disclosed that thousands of personnel and stakeholders have benefited from targeted training programmes spanning aviation security, engineering, airport operations, safety, environmental management, and general capacity building, underscoring FAAN’s commitment to professionalism and global best practices.

Kuku also emphasized improvements in passenger facilitation, enhanced staff welfare, and the positive cultural shift driven by the authority’s Acculturalization Programme while announcing the successful recertification of Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a milestone that reinforces FAAN’s adherence to international safety and security standards, as well as strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary commended FAAN’s leadership for its resilience and reform-driven approach, while setting clear policy directions to enhance institutional performance.

Mahmud Adam Kambari called for the strengthening of FAAN’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to unlock investment opportunities, improved transparency and efficiency in contract processes, and the professional certification of procurement personnel to align with global standards.

He further emphasized the importance of strategic workforce planning in line with fiscal realities and urged a comprehensive review of power generation and energy management models to ensure operational sustainability.

The visit marked a significant step in deepening institutional synergy between the Ministry and FAAN, with a focus on advancing efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery across Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

The engagement reaffirms the shared commitment of the Ministry and FAAN to drive reforms, strengthen governance, and position Nigeria’s aviation sector for greater competitiveness and growth on the global stage.

The Permanent Secretary was conducted on an inspection tour of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where he was briefed on ongoing projects and operational systems, providing first hand insight into FAAN’s infrastructure and service delivery environment.