The 2025 National Aviation Conference held recently at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, where industry stakeholders deliberated on issues affecting the development of the aviation sector, has been described as the best outing since its inception in 2022.
Organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the 2025 outing attracted top political leaders in Nigeria, business moguls, aviation industry experts both in Nigeria and beyond, and other high net worth entrepreneurs, who in their contributions drew new roadmap for the future development of the aviation industry.
For the first time, the conference hosted five governors, including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma. The governor of Plateau State was represented, and the governor of Ogun State was also represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
Chairman, Board of Directors, FAAN and former Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr Abubakar Kana, also attended the summit.
The key points raised at the meeting, themed: ‘Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership and Global Engagement’, were focused around Nigeria, being ready for private sector investment in the aviation industry. The need for the review of taxes and charges paid by airlines and passengers, were also discussed in order to promote a more viable aviation industry.
The Managing Director and CEO of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said with what the management of the agency has achieved in the last two years, government was opening its doors to attract more entrepreneurs to invest in the sector.
Kuku said the aviation industry had overcome the setback and lethargy occasioned by COVID-19, and now it is soaring both at the global and domestic levels.
“The industry is not just recovering; it is soaring to new heights. According to IATA (International Air Transport Association), global passenger traffic is set to reach a historic 4.99 billion this year, decisively surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
“But look further ahead. The Airports Council International forecasts a surge to 9.7 billion passengers by 2040. And where is the centre of this next wave of growth? Africa. This is not just a statistic—it is a signal of billions of journeys, connections, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked. At the heart of this opportunity, lies Nigeria,” she stated.
Reviewing the growth of aviation industry in Nigeria, Kuku took cognisance of the retards of the past and boldly said that the industry has overcome some of them. She noted that those infrastructure gaps, foreign exchange pressures are being effectively managed now, stressing that the currently realities demand for the modernisation of the industry.
“But today, I ask you to see what we see. These are not merely obstacles; they are Nigeria’s unparalleled investment portfolio. Every “gap” is a clearly marked space for transformative returns. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) affirms that for every dollar invested in aviation, nearly four dollars are generated in broader economic growth. Where else can you find such a compelling multiplier?
“And we are not starting from scratch. Under the visionary leadership of the Federal Government, we have laid a robust foundation. As we speak, six airports and numerous runways are undergoing a government-funded transformation. This is a direct investment in our shared future, and we are grateful for this decisive commitment. Thank you, Mr President.
“At FAAN, we have built our strategy on six strategic pillars: Customer-Centric Service Delivery, Operational Excellence and Innovation, Effective Governance and Workforce Excellence, Airport Viability Infrastructure, Modernisation and Expansion, and Safety and Security. And our commitment is already yielding results,” she said.
Some of these fruits include the fact that in the last past two years, 7,320 staff members have been trained by ICAO-accredited FAAN Training School. There have been ground breaking partnerships, including the Memorandum of Understanding with ATOM Aviation Training Services from Dubai, “have significantly enhanced our journey towards global excellence. These collaborations not only open doors to new opportunities but also fill us with optimism for the future.”
Kuku wooed the private sector and said that FAAN was ready for investment in infrastructure, for partnership and for global engagement in technology.
“The fundamentals are undeniable: Africa’s largest population, a growing economy, and a strategic geographic position. The demand is here. Growth is inevitable. The only question is about who will have the foresight to be in the cockpit with us?” the FAAN Boss added.
The state governors who attended the summit spoke glowingly about FAAN and how the management of the agency has supported the states who built new airports and those who wish to add more facilities in FAAN managed airports. The agency is fully giving its support to these governors. These include the Borno State government, the Plateau State government and Imo State government. Under Senator Hope Uzodimma, Imo State government installed airfield lighting and is currently working with FAAN to put existing warehouse facilities at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport into maximum use.
Speaking about the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri, the state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum said the newly rehabilitated airport gave the state a strong global advantage, disclosing that the state is very close to major regional and international cities.
“Maiduguri is located south of Lake Chad and close to the Sahara. You can leave Maiduguri and reach Malaga in three and a half hours. In three hours you can reach Jeddah. In two hours you can reach Sudan, and in another two hours Algeria,” Zulum said. Also beckoning the private sector to come and invest in the industry was the Minister of Aviation. In addition to itemising the areas investors can invest in, he also called for partnership for a world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub, adding that FAAN is positioned to facilitate a regional Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul centre in Nigeria that will serve West and Central Africa, reducing costs, retaining capital, and creating high-skill jobs.
“Africa loses billions yearly to offshore maintenance but FAAN is ready to address this. Leveraging the renewed hope funding, we are also modernising our terminals, rehabilitating runways, expanding aprons, and developing new cargo complexes. Some of these projects could be delivered transparently under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks that guarantee viability and investor returns,” he said.
During the technical discussions at the summit, industry experts looked at how successfully Nigerian carriers have played at the regional and international destinations and emphasised that they will need more government support to be able to compete effectively and this support could come in terms of tax waivers and government collaborating with banks to offer single digit interest rate to airlines that wish to borrow money.
On dominating the market in the West Coast and taking advantage of the Single African Air Transport Market (SATM), the Spokesman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said everything would come down to government protection because other countries may want to use high charges to discourage Nigerian carriers. According to him, they may adopt any other stringent measures, but if Nigerian government reacts and treat their airlines in Nigeria the way they treat Nigerian airlines in their countries, there could be a compromise. So, Nigeria should adopt the principle of reciprocity to protect Nigerian carriers operating international and regional services, Okonwko advised.
“Considering that there is aeropolitics and aero-economic, the government is supposed to protect its own airlines. We must be protected. For us as operators, we have been deprived of the opportunity for many years. We were on total blacklist of lessors around the world for no sin of ours. We could not lease any aircraft on dry lease. It is either buy the aircraft and you pay like three times more than any other country will pay,” he further said.
The FAAN organised National Aviation Conference (FNAC 2025) was a resounding success, as it brought to the fore, the strategic role aviation plays in the economy of any nation. It also made obvious the competence of FAAN management and the pivotal role it plays in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
