By Itohan Abara-Laserian
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, on Monday said that gaps in Nigeria’s aviation industry provided investment opportunities.
Kuku made the remarks in her welcome address at the opening of a two-day FAAN National Aviation Conference (FNAC) 2025 in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had the theme: “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership and Global Engagements”.
According to Kuku, Nigeria is clear about the reality of its infrastructure gaps, foreign exchange pressures and the imperative for modernisation.
She said that these were not merely obstacles but opportunities for investment with transformative returns.
She recalled that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had affirmed that for every dollar invested in aviation, nearly four dollars would be generated in broader economic growth, making aviation investment a multiplier.
She said: “The industry is not just recovering; it is soaring to new heights.
“According to IATA, global passenger traffic is set to reach a historic 4.99 billion this year, decisively surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
“The Airports Council International forecasts a surge to 9.7 billion passengers by 2040, and where is the centre of this next wave of growth? It is Africa.
“This is not just statistics. It is a signal. A signal of billions of journeys, connections and opportunities waiting to be unlocked. At the heart of this opportunity lies Nigeria,” she said.
Kuku said that FAAN had laid a robust foundation under the current administration.
“Currently, six airports and numerous runways are undergoing a government-funded transformation.”
According to her, in the past two years, 7,320 FAAN staff have been trained by an ICAO-accredited FAAN Training School.
She said groundbreaking partnerships, including a Memorandum of Understanding with ATOM Aviation Training Services from Dubai, had significantly enhanced Nigerian aviation’s journey toward global excellence.
“Our Culture Change program has successfully instilled a new spirit of service in 4,000 employees thereby significantly improving our service quality.
“We have upgraded to state-of-the-art screening machines at our flagship international airports and have piloted biometric solutions, with plans to move toward full automation covering everything – from check-ins to parking.
“Additionally, we have initiated the vital process of obtaining ISO certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for FAAN.
“This strategic move aims to enhance our international rating and restore investors’ confidence,” she said.
Kuku said that FAAN was ready for investors offering pathways for investment in infrastructure, partnerships in operations and gobal engagement in technology.
“To truly ascend, we need all hands on deck. This is why I make a direct appeal to our valued unions to embrace this new era of collaboration.
“Your understanding and partnership are the bedrock upon which we will build.
“The private investment we seek is not a replacement for our workforce; it is the catalyst for its growth.
“It will create better facilities, more advanced systems- and ultimately, more and better jobs for Nigerians. Let us work together with a shared vision to welcome the capital that will secure our collective future,” she said.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), listed key investment opportunities to include airport infrastructure modernisation; world-class Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO).
Keyamo was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Ibrahim Kanna.
He said: “The narrative of Nigeria’s aviation industry has fundamentally changed
“We have shifted from problem-spotting to solution-building. The foundation is solid, the opportunities are clear, and the enabling environment is strengthening everyday.
“FNAC 2025 is an inflexion point. This is a call to action and a call to partnership.
“We invite you to engage deeply, review our proposals, and work with FAAN to build the aviation system our continent deserves,” Keyamo said.
NAN reports that airline operators, ground handlers, aviation stakeholders, among others, were present at the event. (NAN) www.nannews.ng