Home Your Viewpoint Reinventing Nigeria’s Airports for the 21st Century

Reinventing Nigeria’s Airports for the 21st Century

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Nigeria airport transformation drive
Kuku: A clear path to reinventing Nigeria's airports.
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BY GBENGA OLORUNPOMI


As Nigeria marks a century of civil aviation, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ushering in a new era through the Nigeria airport transformation drive—the most ambitious upgrade programme in decades. A visible milestone is the deployment of advanced scanning and screening machines, eliminating outdated manual bag checks.

Just this month, self-service e-Gates were introduced at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. These e-Gates allow Nigerian passport holders to clear immigration faster and more efficiently, further improving the passenger experience.

In addition, the E-Wing at MMIA has undergone a major revamp, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetics. Work is currently ongoing at the D-Wing. Given that MMIA handles nearly 70% of Nigeria’s international traffic, this level of focused attention is both strategic and necessary.

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But this effort goes far beyond Lagos. Across the country, we are rebuilding and remarking runways, upgrading electrical and lighting systems, installing CCTV, and deploying new emergency equipment. For example, the reconstructed runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu was completed ahead of schedule, underlining the Southeast’s importance to our national economy.

Nigeria airport transformation drive
FAAN helmsman, Olubunmi Kuku taking the Chairman Board of Directors, FAAN, Dr. Ganduje through the facilitation process at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

In North Central Nigeria, a joint project with the Plateau State Government is turning Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos into an international cargo hub. Minna Airport in Niger State has been designated an official alternative to Abuja and now enjoys international status.

Up North in Maiduguri, the airport is undergoing a full upgrade in partnership with Borno State, aiming to serve as the Northeast’s international gateway.

Cargo infrastructure is another key focus. A new processing facility has been commissioned at Lagos Domestic Airport, while another is under construction in Port Harcourt. These efforts are led by the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services, created in 2024 to align aviation with Nigeria’s trade ambitions.

We are consciously repositioning the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from a revenue-driven agency to an enabler of continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This means improving logistics and lowering operating costs across the board.

Technology is at the heart of this change. A fully cashless ecosystem is being introduced across all FAAN-operated airports. In partnership with leading fintech Paystack, digital payments will now be accepted for every airport service. This supports broader digitisation efforts, including the automation of internal and customer-facing processes.

These reforms are earning global attention. In 2024, the airports in Abuja and Port Harcourt were recognised by Airports Council International (ACI) for improvements in emergency preparedness and resilience. Working with technical partners, over 100 safety and operational deficiencies were addressed in Lagos and Abuja, enabling successful recertification by the end of that year.

Collaboration is key to our success. Beyond Paystack, we work closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), under the capable leadership of Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN. Our security partners—the Air Force, DSS, Customs, NDLEA, and Police—also play crucial roles in keeping airport operations safe and secure.

Equally vital are our staff and labour unions. Their dedication drives our achievements. We’ve prioritised their welfare, resolved promotion backlogs, improved housing, and expanded training opportunities. In May 2025, our Training School earned ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Bronze Membership—a global mark of excellence.

Our vision is to enhance the full passenger journey—from the airport gate to final departure. Every touchpoint is under review to make travel easier, faster, and more secure. At the same time, we are ensuring that revenue systems remain transparent and do not burden the public.

The Nigeria airport transformation drive is far from over, but the progress made is tangible. We encourage citizens to be part of this journey: share feedback, celebrate change, and support the dedicated aviation professionals who keep our skies safe.


Gbenga Olorunpomi is the Media Assistant to the Managing Director FAAN.

 

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