In Nigeria’s aviation sector, infrastructure often dominates headlines. But under the leadership of Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is placing people at the center of its transformation. Her approach redefines aviation leadership in Nigeria by focusing on human capacity development, workforce transformation, and operational excellence.
Since taking office, Mrs. Kuku, FAAN Managing Director and Chief Executive, has prioritised developing aviation professionals across all departments. Over the past two years, more than 3,000 employees have been trained and certified in critical areas including aviation security, firefighting, airport operations, and engineering.
This workforce development strategy aims to “future-proof” Nigeria’s airport operations, ensuring FAAN personnel meet international aviation standards. It reflects a shift towards sustainable human capital investment as the foundation for airport modernization in Nigeria.
In March 2025, Mrs. Kuku led FAAN executives and managers through the globally acclaimed Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP), organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI). For the first time in FAAN’s history, such a large-scale leadership development initiative took place at the top levels of the agency.
Participants received training on:
- Smart airport operations in Nigeria
- Passenger facilitation and customer service at airports
- Aviation safety and compliance standards
- Digital transformation in airport systems
- Strategic long-term airport planning
FAAN’s commitment to aviation workforce development is also visible in its adoption of the ICAO TrainAirPlus programme. FAAN instructors, now ICAO-certified, are empowering internal teams with new technical capabilities in aviation safety and airside operations.
To broaden global exposure, FAAN is finalising a partnership with ATOM Training Services in Dubai. This initiative will give more Nigerian airport personnel access to specialised international aviation training.
Mrs. Kuku has also revived FAAN’s internal training school and built partnerships with key institutions like the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and other globally recognised aviation academies.
The impact is measurable:
- Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport won the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for Best Airport by Size and Region
- 85% of FAAN’s critical technical personnel are now trained and certified
- ICAO audit gaps are being closed with data-backed training efforts
- Staff morale has significantly improved
“We trained and certified over 3,000 members of our workforce, the highest in FAAN’s history,” said Mrs. Kuku. “We’re also scaling our train-the-trainer programs to rapidly build capabilities in airside safety, firefighting, and terminal operations.”
The link between aviation technology and people development is central to FAAN’s strategy. Biometric systems, AI for airport operations, and data-driven planning are being integrated across Nigeria’s major airports, all supported by an upskilled and agile workforce.
Dr. Lukman Eniola, FAAN’s Director of Human Resources, explained: “Our focus on training is closing critical technical gaps. We’re creating a workforce ready for the demands of 21st-century airport management in Nigeria.”
Mr. Oguche Samuel Enejo, Assistant General Manager of Safety Services, added: “Safety training has improved our risk management and hazard response. People feel valued.”
As Nigeria prepares for the next ICAO audit, FAAN is showing that airport excellence is not just about new terminals, but about skilled teams running efficient and safe operations.
Mrs. Kuku sums it up best: “You can’t run a smart airport without smart people. We are building Nigeria’s aviation future one person at a time.”
Gbenga Olorunpomi is the Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the MD/CE of FAAN
