- The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, has advocated the support for two to three indigenous airlines to grow into national flag carriers capable of representing Nigeria globally
- The proposal is expected to significantly increase both passenger movement and cargo operations
- The initiative aims to modernising airport operations, improving service delivery, and enhancing the overall passenger experience across Nigerian airports
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, has called for targeted support for a select group of indigenous airlines to emerge as Nigeria’s national flag carriers, as part of broader efforts to reposition the country’s aviation sector.
Kuku made this known in a post shared on FAAN’s X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, March 28, following her remarks at the first-quarter Business Breakfast Meeting of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative.
She stressed that backing two to three local airlines would help strengthen the industry and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“Earlier today, at the Q1 Business Breakfast Meeting of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, Kuku emphasised strategic support for 2–3 Nigerian airlines to become National Flag Carriers, a move expected to boost passenger and cargo traffic,” the post read.
According to her, building strong indigenous carriers with the capacity to operate at a national level would unlock significant economic opportunities across Nigeria’s aviation value chain.
Kuku noted that the proposal aligns with ongoing reforms by FAAN aimed at improving airport operations and elevating passenger experience across the country.
She highlighted infrastructure upgrades at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, alongside plans to develop modern cargo terminals and introduce cold-chain systems to support the growth of air freight services.
“We are also working to position Nigeria as a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul hub, so that more value is retained within the country,” she said.
In addition, the FAAN boss revealed plans to deploy advanced technologies such as upgraded airfield lighting and the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) to improve safety and operational efficiency.
“These initiatives are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem and support growing demand across passenger and cargo segments,” Kuku added.
She emphasised that sustained investment in infrastructure and the development of local airline capacity would be crucial in building a resilient and globally competitive aviation industry.