By Cosmas Okereafor
The popular saying that ‘’what a man can do, a woman can do even better is playing out fast, at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), where Mrs Olubunmi kuku is holding sway as the Managing Director, Chief Executive officer of the Authority. There is clear indication that FAAN is on another pedestal in terms of revenue generation, human capital development and in the provision of infrastructure upgrade less than two years the present MD was appointed by the federal government. Her approach and style, coupled with the ability to get things done fast, reminds us of the two former Aviation Ministers, Dr Kema Chikwe, and Mrs Stella Oduah who brought so much energy and innovations in the system during their time.
Being the foot soldier of the present Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus keyamo, Nigerians are hopeful that better days are ahead in the aviation industry for common good of all stakeholders. It remains a landmark appointment and equally a departure from the old order (men dominated sector in the past), when on the 18th December, 2023 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu broke the jinx and, endorsed the appointment of Mrs kuku. As it stands, she is the first woman ever to occupy the highest office in FAAN many years after the authority was carved out from the defunct Nigeria Airport Authority(NAA). Since her appointment interestingly, it has been one success story after another, especially in the areas of infrastructure upgrade, provision of modern equipment to enhance seamless operations and conducive atmosphere upon which the workers now operates. For example, under Mrs Kuku, the revenue growth in FAAN has quadrupled less than two years she assumed office. FAAN’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), rose to over N112 billion, a significant improvement from N54.3 billion in 2023 and N30.5 billion in 2022 respectively.
In the area of manpower training, the authority is not lagging behind also. Between when this administration came on stream and now, FAAN has recorded the training of over 4,000 staff, and critical personnel across six safety-critical courses and still counting at the Authority’s Training School, hitherto upgraded to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), recommended standards. Talking about infrastructural development, reconstruction and rehabilitation of internal roads, terminals, conveyor belts, and most importantly eradication of touts and undesirable elements, to enhance security and well-being of passengers also have gained serious attention of the management. FAAN also is not leaving any stone unturned in the area of promoting industrial harmony, all in a bid to ensure that consumers of its services and other major players in the system gets value for their money.
The idea of strategic partnerships and incentives also introduced by the current management has led to boost of airport revenue generation and collaboration with key agencies and various stakeholders, thereby ensuring cooperation and synergies with all players in the industry. Not done yet, customer experience through enhanced airport facilities and services, prioritized institutional capacity building and staff welfare, attraction of foreign students from neighbouring African countries to train in FAAN training school and the promotion of FAAN’s image via collaboration with national and international bodies speaks volume of how determined and ready the leadership of FAAN is, to ensure that FAAN competes efficiently and favourably with other airport groups in the world. Analysts in the aviation sector are in unison, saying that, the coming of the current Chief Executive Officer is a blessing, and therefore should be supported and encouraged to do more.
The development in FAAN according to them have brought succor and positive changes, and as such have proven that women really can be trusted with any position in the land no matter how sophisticated and challenging such an office may appear. The readiness of the authority to decentralize cargo processing and provide room for equitable access to modern logistics infrastructure across airports in the country appear to be what the industry need at this time to support the nations economic goals that is very dear to the heart of the federal government.This was echoed recently during the unveiling ceremony of new domestic cargo processing facility at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT). The Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms Joy Agunbiade who represented the FAAN MD at the event explained that, the whole idea is to promote efficiency and connectivity of cargo operations at Lagos airport. This development no doubt is in tandem with FAAN’s strategic roadmap that is aimed at optimizing Nigeria’s cargo movement ostensibly targeted to stamp its position in the global logistics chain which the present Chief Executive officer, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku is vigorously pursuing. With the feat already recorded within this short period, chances are that, the authority will continue to break new grounds in every facet of its operations for the common good.
