Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku has been appointed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the agency responsible for the development and management of Nigeria’s 21 airports. Kuku’s appointment comes after the removal of heads of agencies associated with the Nigerian airspace by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who is seeking to rejuvenate the sector.
Kuku, who has over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, is the first woman to head FAAN. She was previously the Director of Airport Operations at FAAN and the Regional General Manager for the South West Airports. She also served as the Nigerian representative at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) from 2018 to 2020.
In a press statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, Acting Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, said that Kuku has assured all stakeholders in the aviation sector that the agency will continue to be the bastion of excellent service delivery in the country.
She made this promise during a meeting with the top management of the agency and the press after receiving the handover notes of the previous leadership from the Legal Adviser/Secretary to the Board, Gold Bridget Iwinose.
Kuku expressed her excitement over her return to the sector and appreciated the management and staff of the agency for the good work they have done and promised to build on it.
“My mission at FAAN is simple,” Kuku said. “I’m here to complement the good work you have all been doing and consolidate on the foundation that previous management has laid. We will pursue and deliver on all our obligations to the nation and the international community.
“Together with you all, we can make FAAN a greater institution than it already is.
“We shall be working within the framework of the Renewed Hope Agenda as enunciated by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and in accordance with the policy and program direction of the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. @fkeyamo, SAN.”
Describing FAAN as a national asset designed to operate airport infrastructure and equipment and as a tool for economic development, the MD/CE said her vision was to improve the agency’s professionalism in enhancing the user experience, passengers’ seamless facilitation, security, safety, and standards.
She also affirmed that improving the country’s image will be a core ambition for her office.
“Under my leadership, revenue generation will be optimized and waste will be eliminated as much as possible.
“Staff welfare will also be a priority, but I also expect the staff to be committed to doing their best. As every institution is only as powerful as the human resources managing it, we will prioritize the improvement of institutional and human capacity.
“Working in collaboration with national and international bodies, we will promote the image of Nigeria and strengthen the network of FAAN,” she added.
Recognizing the additional hurdles in the aviation industry during the holiday season, Kuku promised to bring a more proactive approach to devising strategies to tackle these issues.
She said, “There is an urgency of yesterday in revving up our operations as we have fully entered the busiest season of the year for airline operations.
“To this end, we shall be interfacing with the various professional interests, sister agencies, and partners to ensure we have smooth, safe, and secure operations throughout the season.
“Let us do our jobs with patriotism and a smile on our faces, spreading the joy of the Yuletide. Let us join hands to build a FAAN that you will always be proud of. Our mission is to transform the agency into the most efficient and effective institution in Nigeria.”
In attendance at the meeting were general managers and airport managers from across the country.
Kuku’s appointment has been widely welcomed by aviation stakeholders and experts, who see her as a competent and visionary leader who can steer FAAN to greater heights. Some of them took to X to congratulate her and express their confidence in her abilities.
According to the latest data from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), FAAN recorded a total of 3.5 million passengers and 54,000 aircraft movements in the first half of 2023, representing a 10% increase from the same period in 2022. The agency also generated N36 billion in revenue, surpassing its target by 12%.
FAAN is also implementing several projects to upgrade and modernize its airports, such as the construction of new terminals, runways, and control towers, as well as the installation of new equipment and technology.
With Kuku at the helm, FAAN is poised to achieve its vision of being among the best airport groups in the world.
Source: Business Day
