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Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has rated the agency performance 7.5 out of 10, reflecting clear improvements in safety, passenger service, and internal discipline across Nigeria’s airports.
Speaking in a recent interview, Mrs. Kuku explained that the figure symbolises progress made since her assumption of office. She noted that FAAN’s ultimate goal is to push its agency performance to 9.5, through reforms, improved collaboration, and stronger technological integration.
“If I were to look at it, I would say that our airports were probably about three or four when we started,” she said. “We’re probably about 7.5 today. We need to get to nine or nine and a half to be 98 percent compliant, and I believe we will get there.”
Mrs. Kuku said one of FAAN’s most visible achievements has been the extension of airport operating hours across several locations, a development that has improved efficiency, connectivity, and passenger convenience. “The first thing we focused on was safety,” she said. “We’ve improved runway maintenance, rehabilitation, and airfield lighting. We’ve also extended about five airports to operate until 10 p.m., compared to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. closure before.”
She explained that the move effectively transitioned those facilities from sunrise-to-sunset to evening operations, enabling airlines to optimise aircraft utilisation and supporting regional economies. “It’s not just about lights on the runway,” she added. “It’s about ensuring the system runs longer and safer, with maintenance routines that meet international standards.”
The managing director said safety remains the foundation of every other reform contributing to better agency performance. According to her, improved maintenance culture and investment in airfield infrastructure have enhanced passenger confidence and operational reliability. “Our maintenance culture has improved greatly, and that directly translates into safer operations and higher confidence among passengers and operators,” she said.
She also emphasised that collaboration with other airport agencies has been crucial to FAAN’s overall agency performance. “With NDLEA and Customs, we’ve made significant progress,” she affirmed. Kuku recalled joining the Comptroller-General of Customs on an inspection tour of Lagos and Abuja airports to address operational bottlenecks. “During our walk-around, issues that had lingered for years were resolved on the spot,” she said.
FAAN has also invested in modern equipment, including advanced screening systems and anti-sniffing dogs for detecting narcotics and currency. “As we roll out modern screening systems, the need for manual checks will reduce, allowing smoother passenger processing and improved facilitation,” she said.
Mrs. Kuku further noted that FAAN’s consumer protection unit continues to monitor passenger feedback to measure agency performance. “Data is life,” she said. “Within FAAN, we monitor complaints, processing times, and satisfaction levels.” She revealed that based on a joint survey conducted with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), FAAN’s overall performance index improved by 12 percent year-on-year.
She also highlighted the introduction of biometric e-gates at departure terminals to ease clearance before immigration. “You’ve seen the biometrics launched on the departure e-gates,” she said. “Those were installed by FAAN for boarding pass scans before immigration. The arrival e-gates, installed by the Nigerian Immigration Service, have further reduced passenger waiting times.”
Kuku said these innovations have strengthened FAAN’s agency performance through faster processing, less congestion, and improved traveller comfort. She also pointed out that Operation Air Clean, launched in December 2024, has reinforced discipline and professionalism across all airports. “A significant number of officers have been sanctioned for misconduct, including touting and harassment,” she stated.
She said the era of unethical behaviour at airports is ending. “There are a couple of bad eggs in the system, but we will not allow them to derail us,” she added. “Between myself and the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, we have engaged all the agencies working with us to ensure accountability and alignment.”
Kuku stressed that FAAN has also taken action against concessionaires found operating in unauthorised areas. “We’ve discovered that some touts are insiders employed by concessionaires or partner agencies,” she said. “We’re enforcing strict sanctions for anyone violating operational boundaries.”
While acknowledging that there is still work ahead, Mrs. Kuku expressed confidence that FAAN’s structured reforms and continued collaboration will push its agency performance closer to world-class levels. “It’s not where we want to be yet,” she said. “But we can already see the impact of our reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and renewed professionalism.”
With better safety systems, extended operational hours, inter-agency synergy, and a sustained focus on passengers, Kuku said FAAN is firmly on course to reach its 9.5 rating target, achieving full compliance and service excellence.
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