The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has opened four-day stakeholders’ retreat in Abuja with a unified call for strategic renewal and stronger collaboration across the aviation ecosystem.
The retreat with theme, “Future-Proofing FAAN: Leadership, Modernisation and Strategic Renewal,” which is taking place at the Lake Greenfield Hotel, sets the stage for bold reforms that will shape the future of Nigeria’s airports. Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said the gathering provides “a sacred opportunity to evaluate our current strategies, analyse challenges and develop a resilient and sustainable path forward.”
She explained that the stakeholders’ retreat comes at a crucial time when the agency must address long-standing concerns with clarity and confidence.
Kuku stressed that the aviation industry can only move forward when its leadership is ready to confront difficult issues.
She said FAAN must explain its role more clearly to avoid the recurring public confusion that often arises whenever airport incidents make headlines. According to her, the agency should help passengers and stakeholders understand what FAAN actually does.
She said FAAN provides infrastructure for airports, drives aviation security services and delivers fire and rescue operations, while the regulator plays a different role entirely. Meanwhile, she noted that FAAN manages Federal Government-owned airports and a few owned by States and therefore must ensure that service delivery matches global standards.
She urged participants to take the stakeholders’ retreat seriously and contribute honestly. Kuku added that the retreat offers a rare moment to share ideas openly. She expressed confidence that the calibre of leaders in attendance will guarantee success, especially as Nigeria pushes for stronger aviation performance. She welcomed all delegates and encouraged them to treat the engagement with the depth and attention it deserves.
During the opening session, the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon Festus Akingbaso, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Chairman Hon Abdullahi Garba. He commended the direction FAAN has taken under its new Board. According to him, the National Assembly holds strong confidence in Ganduje’s capacity to reposition FAAN and raise Nigeria’s aviation standing across Africa.
Akingbaso said the House Committee fully supports the stakeholders’ retreat because it represents an opportunity to rethink structures and improve efficiency. He explained that FAAN must review the alignment of its Directorates and Departments so that each unit delivers clear and efficient services. He recommended that the Procurement Department should become a full department under the Office of the Chief Accounting Officer. He said this would strengthen accountability and follow the Public Procurement Act, 2007. In addition, he emphasised safety and security, stressing that Nigeria must maintain the highest standards across all airports. He called for greener aviation practices, improved passenger experience and stronger partnerships that support investment and innovation.
In his welcome remarks, FAAN Governing Board Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, described the stakeholders’ retreat as a decisive moment in the agency’s long-term transformation. He said the retreat’s theme reflects the need for FAAN to stay ahead of global trends. He noted that the aviation sector is evolving rapidly, and FAAN must become more modern, more efficient and more resilient. According to him, the retreat provides a forward-looking platform to examine infrastructure development, operational efficiency, institutional strengthening and better policy coordination.
Ganduje said he is pleased with the strong cooperation between the Board and the FAAN management team under Kuku’s leadership. He said this partnership has already strengthened oversight, improved transparency and enhanced airport operations nationwide.
He explained that the stakeholders’ retreat must focus on leadership development, infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, revenue expansion and unified security frameworks. He encouraged participants to engage openly, challenge assumptions and propose new ideas that will guide FAAN’s next phase. Ganduje said the discussions will help build a FAAN that is future-ready and globally competitive. He added that the retreat is an opportunity to align vision, strengthen purpose and produce practical solutions that will sustain progress.
The four-day stakeholders’ retreat continues until December 5 and will consider operational excellence, inter-agency cooperation, financial sustainability and the long-term strategic path for Nigeria’s airports.
Wishing the delegates fruitful deliberation that would move the FAAN forward and uplift the country aviation industry to an enviable status.