News Highlights:
- Permanent Secretary Mahmud Adam Kambari outlined reform priorities, including stronger PPP frameworks, transparent procurement, and sustainable energy models for the aviation sector.
- FAAN highlighted progress in staff training, passenger facilitation, and the recertification of Lagos and Abuja international airports despite operational and financial challenges.
A renewed push for reform and stronger institutional alignment took centre stage on Monday as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, undertook a strategic familiarisation visit to the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Ikeja, Lagos.
The high-level engagement, held on April 20, 2026, underscored the Ministry’s intent to tighten policy coordination with FAAN while accelerating efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery across the aviation sector.
The session brought together FAAN’s top management, led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, alongside Directors and senior officials from the Ministry.
Setting the tone for discussions, Kambari commended FAAN’s leadership for its resilience and reform-driven posture, while outlining key policy priorities aimed at strengthening institutional performance.
He 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 emphasised 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.
Earlier, in a detailed presentation, the FAAN Managing Director outlined the Authority’s operational framework, strategic priorities, and critical role in managing Nigeria’s passenger and cargo airport infrastructure.
She provided insight into FAAN’s workforce capacity and acknowledged prevailing operational pressures, including pension obligations, financial reconciliations with the Ministry of Finance, rising energy costs, and evolving security demands requiring continuous personnel training and attitudinal reorientation.
Despite these constraints, Mrs. 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.
The MD also emphasised improvements in passenger facilitation, enhanced staff welfare, and the positive cultural shift driven by the Authority’s Acculturalization Programme.
She further announced the successful recertification of Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. This milestone reinforces FAAN’s adherence to international safety and security standards and strengthens inter-agency collaboration.
The visit featured an inspection tour of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where the Permanent Secretary was briefed on ongoing projects and operational systems, providing first-hand insight into FAAN’s infrastructure and service delivery environment.
Overall, the engagement reaffirmed 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.
