Yemisi Izuora
The Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has listed investment opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation sector saying that the industry offers huge return on investment particularly in Nigeria which is geographically located in Africa.
Speaking at the 2025 FAAN National Aviation Conference in Lagos with the theme: “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership & Global Engagements”, the Agency’s Director General (DG) Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the Airports Council International forecasts a surge to 9.7 billion passengers by 2040 and that Africa is the centre of this next wave of growth?
She said “This is not just a statistic—it is a signal. A signal of billions of journeys, connections, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked. At the heart of this opportunity lies Nigeria.”
The DG, emphasized that the country’s aviation industry challenges which include, infrastructure gaps, foreign exchange pressures, and the imperative for modernisation, presents key opportunities for investors.
“But today, I ask you to see what we see. These are not merely obstacles; they are Nigeria’s unparalleled investment portfolio. Every “gap” is a clearly marked space for transformative returns. The International Civil Aviation Organisation affirms that for every dollar invested in aviation, nearly four dollars are generated in broader economic growth. Where else can you find such a compelling multiplier?”
However, understand the visionary leadership of the Federal Government, the FAAN, has laid a robust foundation with six airports and numerous runways currently undergoing a government-funded transformation.
“At FAAN, we have built our strategy on six (6) strategic pillars: Customer-Centric Service Delivery, Operational Excellence and Innovation, Effective Governance and Workforce Excellence, Airport Viability Infrastructure, Modernisation and Expansion, and Safety and Security. And our commitment is already yielding results:” Kuku said.
In the past two years, a record 7,320 staff members have been trained by our ICAO-accredited FAAN Training School. Groundbreaking partnerships, including our Memorandum of Understanding with ATOM Aviation Training Services from Dubai, have significantly enhanced our journey towards global excellence. These collaborations not only open doors to new opportunities but also fill us with optimism for the future.
Speaking further, she said, “Our Culture Change program has successfully instilled a new spirit of service in 4,000 employees, thereby significantly improving our service quality. We have upgraded to state-of-the-art screening machines at our flagship international airports and have piloted biometric solutions, with plans to move towards full automation, covering everything from check-ins to parking.
“Additionally, we have initiated the vital process of obtaining ISO certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for FAAN. This strategic move aims to enhance our international rating and restore investors’ confidence.”