Ken Okeke
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has called on aviation stakeholders to prioritise investment in project development to enhance bankability and attract investors.
Such bankable projects will have the quality of being able to attract investment or financing, especially from banks or other financial institutions and should be seen as a reliable and profitable investment, minimizing the risk for lenders
She emphasised the importance of conducting market studies, feasibility assessments, and developing strong business cases to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
Mrs. Kuku made this appeal on Monday, 16 June 2025, during her opening address at the ongoing Biennial FAAN Joint Trade Unions Conference 2025, held at the AbdurahamanDanbazau Conference Centre (COCOS Hotel), Correctional Services, Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja.
Mrs Kuku emphasised the crucial role of cargo operations in the sector’s future, noting that investment requires clear returns supported by comprehensive data. She pointed out that while FAAN has established the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services, additional support and data-driven studies are necessary to secure investor confidence.
Speaking on staff welfare, Mrs Kuku reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to improving working conditions, stating that the newly negotiated conditions of service—developed with union participation—are set for submission to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to reassess staff training and international travel budgets for more inclusive coverage.
Addressing concerns about medical facilities, Mrs Kuku acknowledged the need to improve on what is currently available. She revealed that FAAN is reviewing partnership opportunities to enhance healthcare access for employees. Additionally, she mentioned plans to procure operational vehicles for airports and renovate staff quarters to improve living conditions.
In discussing airport management, she stressed the importance of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure efficiency and accountability among airport managers and department heads.
Mrs Kuku expressed gratitude to the aviation unions—NUATE, ATSSSAN, and ANAP—for their cooperation and urged delegates to use the conference to strategise effectively for the sector’s advancement.
“This conference serves as a pivotal platform to address our concerns. By championing just culture, which emphasises fairness and accountability in safety practices, and just transition, which supports equitable shifts toward sustainable aviation, stakeholders can collectively drive meaningful change,” she stated.
Reaffirming FAAN’s commitment to dialogue and staff welfare, Mrs Kuku assured the unions that management remains open to constructive engagement, honest dialogue, and practical solutions to workplace challenges.
“I urge you, dear union delegates, to utilise this conference to strategise with foresight, engage with purpose, and emerge with resolutions that reflect both the aspirations of your members and the realities of our shared environment. Let us work together to protect jobs, enhance conditions of service, and strengthen the sector, not through conflict, but through cooperation,” she added.