Two Years On, How Kuku’s Leadership Is Transforming Nigeria’s Airports, Elevating FAAN Globally

In an era when Africa’s aviation sector is under pressure to modernise, compete globally and deliver safer, more efficient services, leadership has become the defining currency of progress.

For Nigeria, that leadership has found renewed expression in the tenure of Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Two years into her stewardship, Nigeria’s airports are undergoing a visible transformation, driven by reforms in infrastructure, security, revenue management, sustainability and human capital, while the country’s voice in global aviation governance has grown significantly stronger.

This report examines Mrs. Kuku’s impact on Nigeria’s aviation landscape, tracing how strategic leadership, international engagement and institutional reforms are reshaping FAAN and repositioning Nigeria as a rising force in Africa’s airport management ecosystem.

Strategic Leadership and Recognition

 

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has in two years emerged as a key figure in Africa’s aviation governance, following her election as Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa and confirmation as a permanent member of the ACI World Governing Board.

 

Her election was ratified at the 34th ACI Africa General Assembly held in Lusaka, Zambia, marking a historic milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector. The elevation moved Mrs. Kuku from her former role as Regional Advisor for Africa to one of the highest decision-making positions in global airport administration.

 

ACI Africa represents airports in 56 countries, while the ACI World Governing Board oversees more than 2,100 airports worldwide, with members drawn from 169 countries.

 

In her new role, Mrs. Kuku is expected to champion initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, passenger experience and connectivity across African airports.

 

Reacting to her election, she described the position as a call to service, pledging to work with stakeholders to ensure African airports meet international safety and efficiency standards while serving as drivers of economic growth.

 

Under her leadership, Nigerian airports have recorded notable improvements in infrastructure, safety and service quality, earning multiple industry recognitions. Industry observers say her emergence on the global aviation stage underscores Nigeria’s growing influence and could attract increased investment and partnerships.

 

Mrs. Kuku’s leadership has also earned local recognition. She was recently honoured with the 2025 Excellence Award by the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) for her role in transforming Nigeria’s airport landscape since assuming office.

 

CIAPS said the award reflected her consistent commitment to excellence, strategic contributions to national development and dedication to raising professional standards in the aviation sector. The organisation noted that the selection followed a rigorous assessment process involving performance reviews, sectoral nominations and independent verification.

 

According to CIAPS, FAAN under Mrs. Kuku has recorded renewed operational efficiency, improved stakeholder engagement and accelerated reforms aimed at modernising airport infrastructure nationwide.

 

Receiving the award through her representative, the General Manager, Administration, Mrs. Oluwasola Awe, the FAAN Managing Director described the recognition as a collective achievement of FAAN’s workforce and a motivation to deepen reforms and service quality.

 

She also highlighted initiatives such as the Acculturation Programme and monthly staff excellence awards, which she said are improving work culture, motivation and institutional image.

 

Infrastructure Development and Modernisation

 

FAAN has made significant strides in aviation infrastructure under Mrs. Kuku’s leadership, including the commissioning of a new domestic cargo terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos, on May 9, 2025.

 

The facility, commissioned by Mrs. Kuku through the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Joy Agunbiade, is designed to improve efficiency, scalability and connectivity in cargo handling, supporting Nigeria’s growing e-commerce and agricultural export sectors.

 

FAAN plans to replicate the cargo terminal model in Abuja, Kano, Jos, Niger and Port Harcourt as part of its strategy to decentralise cargo movement and strengthen national logistics capacity.

 

In another milestone, FAAN launched zero-emission electric transit services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on January 29, 2026. The initiative, developed in partnership with Possible Electric Mobility and Zeut Energies, introduced electric buses and sedans to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy use within airport operations.

 

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Kuku said the project aligns with FAAN’s broader sustainability strategy, noting that the authority has also deployed solar lighting, energy-saving systems and improved waste recycling across airports.

 

Security, Safety & Operational Improvements

 

Amid heightened global aviation security concerns, FAAN has significantly upgraded its security architecture. Key airports now operate modern Smiths Detection X-ray screening machines with automatic tray return systems, expanded CCTV coverage and over 3,000 handheld radios for aviation security personnel.

 

Recent ICAO security audits rated FAAN’s Aviation Security Department highly, citing improved personnel deployment, upgraded equipment and enhanced emergency response systems.

 

Passenger screening times during peak hours have reportedly dropped by as much as 80 per cent, improving travel experience and operational efficiency.

 

Financial Reforms & Revenue Growth

 

FAAN has also recorded major gains in revenue generation and transparency. Between January and November 2023, the authority generated ₦343.87 billion, representing an 82.5 per cent increase over the previous year.

 

FAAN reported an increase in revenue generation and improved collection efficiency in 2025 despite a dip in cargo throughput compared with 2024. This was attributed to operational reforms aimed at plugging revenue leakages and modernising processes.

 

A key reform is the introduction of a cashless revenue system, which began at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.

 

The initiative is aimed at blocking leakages, improving accountability and enhancing passenger convenience.

 

Mrs. Kuku said FAAN targets a 50 per cent revenue increase during the pilot phase and up to 100 per cent growth when the system is fully implemented nationwide by the first quarter of 2026.

 

Human Capital & Training Initiatives

 

Human capital development has been a cornerstone of Mrs. Kuku’s reform agenda. Over the past two years, more than 3,000 FAAN staff have been trained and certified in aviation security, firefighting, engineering and airport operations.

 

FAAN executives also participated in the ICAO-ACI Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) in 2025, marking the first time such large-scale leadership training was conducted at the agency’s top level.

 

The authority has since attained ICAO TrainAirPlus Gold Member status, alongside ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, positioning FAAN as a leading aviation training institution in Africa.

 

According to Mrs. Kuku, the focus on people development is critical to building smart airports, noting that technology deployment must be matched with skilled manpower.

 

Service Delivery & Passenger Experience

 

Integrated access control systems and centralised emergency operations centres have significantly improved service delivery across airports.

 

Following aerodrome recertification exercises, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has certified Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports, marking the first time Nigeria has four certified international gateways.

 

Global Engagement and Certifications

 

FAAN’s global engagement has expanded through partnerships with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, IATA and AviaDev, repositioning airports as trade and investment hubs.

 

Mrs. Kuku’s advocacy also played a role in attracting West Africa’s first aircraft manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, with Abuja and Akure designated as host locations.

 

With Nigeria expected to host more global aviation conversations following her election as ACI Africa Vice President, industry stakeholders say Mrs. Kuku’s leadership has redefined expectations in airport governance, delivering measurable results in record time.

 

 

 

Two years on, the imprint of Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku’s leadership on Nigeria’s aviation sector is unmistakable. From global recognition and institutional reforms to infrastructure expansion, security upgrades and workforce development, her tenure has shifted FAAN onto a more transparent, efficient and internationally aligned path. Beyond physical assets and financial gains, the emphasis on people, systems and standards has laid the groundwork for sustainable airport management.

 

As Nigeria’s airports continue to evolve into modern, passenger-focused and commercially viable gateways, stakeholders say the progress recorded under Mrs. Kuku underscores what purposeful leadership can achieve within a complex public sector environment. With growing global engagement and reforms still unfolding, her stewardship is increasingly seen not just as a phase of change, but as a foundation for the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.