FAAN MD: Airport Modernisation Must Reflect Nigeria’s Diversity and Local Realities

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, has emphasized that the country’s airport modernisation must be purposeful, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of its people.

Speaking at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon during a panel session themed “Defining the Airport of the Future: Technology, Partnerships and People,” Onabanjo-Kuku outlined the strategic priorities shaping Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

She noted that with Nigerian passengers spanning over 250 language communities, modernisation poses distinct challenges. Strategies, she said, must account for linguistic diversity, uneven levels of digital literacy, and varying accessibility needs. Rather than merely deploying advanced technology, she stressed the importance of implementing intuitive, locally suited solutions that improve the journey for passengers of all ages and backgrounds.

On funding, Onabanjo-Kuku advocated for a closer link between airport-generated revenue and the reinvestment in critical infrastructure. She argued that passenger-related charges should directly fund their intended purposes; including aviation security systems, terminal upgrades, airside facilities, and landside transport—to ensure the long-term sustainability of operations and capital projects.

Over the past three years, the government has invested heavily in airside infrastructure at major international airports. Runways have been resurfaced in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and Maiduguri, two runways have been extended, and airfield lighting has been upgraded to support pavement integrity, runway readiness, and compliance with safety standards.

The FAAN boss noted that traffic is heavily concentrated, with approximately 80% of national airport traffic passing through just three airports, and Lagos alone accounting for an estimated 68%. FAAN is targeting capacity expansion at these busy hubs while maintaining infrastructure and service standards at the remaining 19 airports and the five it directly supports.

A central component of this programme is the comprehensive rehabilitation of Lagos MMIA Terminal 1. The work involves reconfiguring immigration and customs counters and modernising technology to expedite passenger processing and reduce congestion. Onabanjo-Kuku emphasized that the flagship terminal is being substantially rebuilt to be considerably more efficient, not just larger.

Integrating airports with urban transport networks remains another key priority. While Abuja already has a rail connection improving airport access, Lagos is planning a modernised rail system with five stops across the Murtala Muhammed International Airport complex. The project aims to ease movement between terminals, improve access to cargo facilities, and reduce reliance on road transport.

The panel agreed that airports cannot apply a single technology model everywhere, as effectiveness depends on the operating environment and specific local challenges. Onabanjo-Kuku reiterated that the airport of the future must be technologically advanced without becoming operationally complex or inaccessible, with success measured by the reliability, interoperability, and local suitability of its systems.