The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has further strengthened its international profile as a leading airport operations and management institution following a courtesy visit by the Secretary-General of Airports Council International (ACI-Africa), Mr. Ali Tounsi, to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr. Tounsi’s visit is part of his official mission to Nigeria to assess the country’s preparedness to host the ACI-Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition scheduled for October 2026, an event poised to draw global aviation leaders, investors, regulators, and industry influencers.
Accompanied by a high-level FAAN delegation led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Secretary-General met with the Honourable Minister to review progress on critical aspects of the nation’s readiness, including infrastructure upgrades, logistics planning, and cross-agency support for the landmark conference.
Other officials present included the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Mr. Henry Agbebire; the Director of Commercial & Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade; and members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
During the engagement, Mr. Tounsi commended Nigeria’s level of commitment and underscored the strategic importance of the 2026 conference, and noted that the event provides a vital platform for aviation stakeholders across Africa to exchange insights, strengthen collaboration, and advance sustainable growth within the sector.
The visit also served as a strong endorsement of FAAN’s ongoing reforms under the leadership of Mrs. Kuku.
Key initiatives, ranging from infrastructure modernisation and improved operational efficiency to enhanced stakeholder engagement, continue to elevate Nigeria’s standing as a credible host for high-profile international aviation events.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s full backing, Minister Keyamo emphasised that hosting the ACI-Africa conference aligns with the administration’s broader agenda to deepen reforms in the aviation industry, enhance regional connectivity, and attract greater foreign investment.
In her remarks, FAAN’s Managing Director assured the Secretary-General of the Authority’s unwavering commitment to delivering a world-class event, and highlighted that preparations are advancing with clearly defined milestones and strong inter-agency coordination.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties expressing confidence that the 2026 ACI-Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition will stand out as one of the most successful editions in the continent’s history, further reinforcing Nigeria’s emergence as an aviation hub and showcasing the transformational strides being recorded under FAAN’s leadership.
