Since assuming office as the first female Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in December 2023, Olubunmi Kuku has implemented sweeping reforms that are reshaping Nigeria’s aviation landscape. Her eighteen-month tenure has delivered measurable improvements in security, infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
Operational and Security Enhancements
Kuku’s signature Operation AirClean initiative has significantly reduced touting and passenger harassment through:
- A dedicated airport task force
- Inter-agency collaboration frameworks
- Plans for on-site magistrate courts
The deployment of advanced Orion 927DX screening technology has replaced manual searches, improving both security effectiveness and passenger processing times. Each security agent now monitors baggage scans independently, enhancing both oversight and efficiency.
Infrastructure Modernization
The comprehensive upgrade of Lagos’ Hajj terminal demonstrates Kuku’s commitment to world-class facilities:
- Increased capacity to 6,000 pilgrims
- Segregated gender facilities (3,000 capacity each)
- Automated processing systems
- Enhanced surveillance and passenger information systems
Additional infrastructure achievements include:
- Rehabilitation of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s lighting systems
- Expansion of access roads and parking facilities
- Terminal renovations and security upgrades
Financial and Human Capital Development
Under Kuku’s leadership, FAAN has:
- Remitted N112.8 billion in internally generated revenue (2024)
- Trained over 3,000 staff members
- Implemented the new minimum wage with backpay
- Repositioned the ICAO Aviation Security Training Center in Lagos
Industry Perspective
Aviation analyst Olumide Ohunayo acknowledges Kuku’s achievements while noting ongoing challenges:
“Her responsiveness to operational issues and ability to coordinate across agencies represents significant progress. However, long-term planning remains constrained by unresolved policy questions regarding airport concessions and state handovers.”
The Road Ahead
While Kuku’s reforms have addressed immediate operational deficiencies, stakeholders emphasize the need for:
- Sustainable infrastructure investment strategies
- Clear policy frameworks for airport management
- Continued focus on human capital development
Bolbuk Analysis: Kuku’s tenure demonstrates that focused leadership can drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Her technology-driven, passenger-centric approach provides a model for public sector transformation.