Ken Okeke
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has continued to strengthen its international partnership as a leading airport management institution.
This follows warm welcome during the courtesy visit of the Secretary-General of Airports Council International (ACI-Africa), Mr. Ali Tounsi, to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Tuesday.
Mr. Tounsi’s visit forms part of his scheduled mission to Nigeria to evaluate the nation’s preparedness to host the ACI-Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition slated for October 2026, a landmark event expected to attract global aviation leaders, investors and industry influencers.
Accompanied by a high-level FAAN delegation led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Secretary-General met with the Honourable Minister to review Nigeria’s progress in key areas of readiness, logistics planning, and overall national support for the conference. Also in attendance were the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Mr. Henry Agbebire; the Director of Commercial & Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade; and members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
During the discussions, Mr. Tounsi expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s level of commitment and highlighted the strategic value of the 2026 conference, noting that it presents a unique platform for Africa’s aviation stakeholders to converge, exchange insights, and promote sustainable development across the sector.
For FAAN, the visit further validated the strategic reforms and service improvements championed under the leadership of Mrs. Kuku. The ongoing infrastructure modernisation, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and renewed focus on global best practices continue to position Nigeria as a credible host for aviation events of international scale.
The Honourable Minister, Mr. Keyamo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s full support, stating that the hosting of the conference aligns with the administration’s broader goal of strengthening Nigeria’s aviation industry, improving connectivity and attracting foreign investment.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Kuku, assured the Secretary-General of the Authority’s unwavering readiness to deliver a world-class conference, adding that preparations are progressing with clear timelines and strong inter-agency collaboration.
The courtesy visit ended on a positive note as both sides reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the ACI-Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition 2026 becomes one of the most successful editions in the continent’s history, one that will reinforce Nigeria’s reputation as an aviation hub and showcase the transformational strides undertaken by FAAN.