Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), is a Seasoned Professional, a woman of excellence and exemplary leadership. Appointed in 2023, Kuku has been a game-changer since her appointment, bringing a unique blend of expertise, passion, and vision to the forefront. She has emerged a trailblazing leader, redefining the contours of excellence and efficiency. A powerhouse of leadership, she is committed to creating a better everyday life experience wherever she works. She is a leader with vision and determination, a very strategic and result-oriented person, and these made her a transformative leader, committed to initiatives that redefine operational efficiency and safety in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
In 2023, she made history as the first female Managing Director of FAAN. In December of that year, a significant milestone was achieved in Nigeria’s aviation history when she was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency. Her appointment not only shattered the glass ceiling in a traditionally male-dominated industry but also heralded a new era of innovation, operational efficiency, and unwavering commitment to safety in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
With a remarkable career that spans over two decades of experience across in the aviation sector, Mrs. Kuku has earned a reputation as a consummate professional. Her impressive career trajectory, marked by numerous achievements and accolades, is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Before her appointment, Kuku has honed her skills in various high-impact roles. Her tenure as Vice President and Head of Visa Consulting & Analytics for Sub-Saharan Africa at Visa saw her drive significant growth and development in the region. She also brought her expertise to Ernst & Young (EY) as a Partner in Business Consulting, showcasing her ability to navigate and transform complex business environments. Furthermore, her role as a General Manager at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) overseeing Business Development & Investment underlined her capability in steering organizations towards success.
Kuku’s influence extends beyond the corporate realm into strategic sectors of the economy. She has played a pivotal role in driving transformative growth, notably in her advisory capacity for Strategy & Infrastructure Development at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. Her hands-on involvement with the former Minister of Aviation and as General Manager for Business Development at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency underscored her deep commitment to the aviation sector.
Upon assuming leadership at FAAN, Mrs. Kuku articulated a clear vision centered on commitment to safety and security, enhancing professionalism, improving user experience, ensuring seamless passenger facilitation, and upholding the highest standards of security and safety. She emphasized the importance of blocking financial leakages, optimizing revenue generation, and eliminating waste to bolster the agency’s financial health. Her commitment to staff welfare and capacity building has been evident, recognizing that a motivated and well-trained workforce is essential for achieving FAAN’s objectives.
In reflecting on her journey, Mrs. Kuku attributes the successes achieved to the collective efforts of FAAN’s dedicated staff, the support from the federal government, and the collaborative spirit of industry stakeholders. Her leadership exemplifies a blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, positioning Nigeria’s aviation sector for sustained growth and global competitiveness.
Kuku’s transformative leadership seems to be redefining the Nigerian aviation landscape right now. Her vision, expertise, and passion to position FAAN as a model for airport authorities across Africa are raging like wild fire. Under her stewardship, FAAN has undertaken several initiatives aimed at boosting operational efficiency:
Safety Management Systems (SMS): Recognizing safety as the cornerstone of airport operations, FAAN has scaled up the implementation of SMS designed to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with airport operations. This proactive approach emphasizes continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement, ensuring the safety of passengers, personnel, and aircraft.
Infrastructure Upgrades: To achieve this , Kuku said Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria would require a sum of N580bn for the rehabilitation of airports’ runways across the country.
She dropped this hint sometimes ago while receiving the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ibrahim Kana. Mrs Kuku, lamented the state of the runway in the country, pointing out that the airports’ runways which were built in the late 70s have outlived their lifespan. She added that aside from the runways, other airports’ infrastructures such as terminals also needed major rehabilitation which has been affecting operational efficiency and safety.
She drummed. “N580bn is required to fix runways across all airports, their life span is between 20 to 25 years but most of the airports were built in 1978. Many of FAAN’s facilities, including terminals and runways, are ageing and in need of significant repairs and upgrades.
“This affects operational efficiency and safety and necessitates substantial investment for modernization. Also, despite efforts to enhance security at airports, FAAN continues to face challenges in managing security risks, particularly with the increase in air travel and the potential for terrorist activities or other threats at key airport locations. On-land Encroachment, due to the lack of a perimeter fence, the Authority landmass is constantly being encroached on all over the country.
“Obsolete equipment such as old fire tenders, generators, air conditioning systems conveyor lines with worn-out slats, belts, and motors, can be found in many airports that have low efficiency and have high maintenance cost.
The FAAN MD promised she would modernize the airports’ infrastructure by renovating terminals, expanding runways, and upgrading navigational aids. Equally, she hinted that the building of a befitting head office for FAAN will also be given priority in 2025 to provide “a centralised and modern facility to enhance operational efficiency. Priority will be given to improving critical facilities at major international airports and enhancing regional airport capacity to meet growing passenger and cargo demands.
“We need to be deliberate about it. So many haphazard jobs and abandoned projects at the airports. The runways require major rehabilitation,” she said.
Speaking on its strategic focus areas for 2025, apart from adopting innovative strategies to increase revenue, Kuku added that FAAN will also focus on Public Private Partnerships to expand investment opportunities and develop underutilized assets.
“Staff training on aviation security and safety procedures will be intensified to address emerging challenges and risks in the industry, FAAN will upgrade and maintain e-procurement systems to reduce technical downtimes and we plan to align FAAN’s goals with National Aviation policies and international standards.
“FAAN will integrate environmentally sustainable practices into its operations, focusing on energy efficiency, waste management, and carbon emission reductions. The Authority will collaborate with industry stakeholders to adopt green airport initiatives and promote environmental stewardship.
“FAAN will prioritize increasing its workforce strength to support growing operations and ensure employee welfare through improved working conditions, comprehensive training, and enhanced benefits,” she added.
Speaking at the event, Kana expressed strong confidence in the ongoing transformation within Nigeria’s aviation sector. He attributed the progress to the solid structural framework at FAAN, driven by the leadership of its managing director.
“The aviation sector demands constant innovation and expertise and that is why I am urging everyone to put on their thinking caps and contribute to improving the system. Together, we can elevate Nigeria’s aviation industry to global standards,” Ibrahim stated
He, however, promised the ministry’s continuous support for the FAAN, for its management to sustain the momentum of development.
Training and Capacity Building: Understanding that human capital is pivotal to operational excellence, FAAN has trained over 3,000 personnel across various safety-critical courses. This comprehensive approach ensures that staff are well-equipped to maintain and enhance safety standards across all airports.
Strengthening Security Measures: Security remains a top priority under Mrs. Kuku’s leadership. In June 2024, FAAN inaugurated 120 officers of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Special Force, equipped to handle security challenges across airports. This initiative aligns with global standards and demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding passengers, crew, and airport infrastructure.
Mrs. Kuku’s exemplary leadership has garnered international recognition. In September 2024, she was nominated to serve as a Regional Advisor representing Africa on the Airports Council International (ACI) World Governing Board. This role amplifies her influence in shaping policies and strategies that impact airports across the continent, advocating for infrastructure development, safety regulations, and sustainable practices
Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku’s tenure as Managing Director of FAAN has been marked by transformative initiatives that have redefined operational efficiency and safety in Nigeria’s aviation industry. Her strategic reforms, commitment to capacity building, and emphasis on security have not only enhanced the functionality of the nation’s airports but have also set a benchmark for excellence in the sector. These initiatives are poised to elevate passenger experience, bolster safety measures, and align Nigeria’s airports with international standards.
As she continues to lead with vision and determination, the future of Nigeria’s aviation landscape appears promising, with FAAN poised to soar to new heights under her exemplary guidance.
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