FAAN chief hails aviation growth as Lagos Airport records Africa’s fastest traffic surge

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  FAAN chief hails aviation growth as Lagos Airport records Africa’s fastest  traffic surge




The curtain fell Wednesday on the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition in Luanda, with the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, delivering a stirring closing address that celebrated Africa’s aviation rebound and issued a formal invitation for the continent to gather next in Abuja.

Over the past several days, delegates from across Africa convened under the theme “Stronger Airports, Stronger Africa.” In her remarks, Mrs Kuku emphasised that airports are far more than transit points—they are strategic assets driving trade, tourism, employment, and economic integration.

“The future of African aviation will depend not only on infrastructure, but also on partnership, innovation, resilience, and the courage to think long term,” she told the audience, thanking the Government and people of Angola, the airport authorities, and the ACI Africa Secretariat for their hospitality. She also singled out Sociedade Gestora de Aeroportos (SGA) for its partnership in delivering a memorable event.

Mrs Kuku highlighted fresh data underscoring Nigeria’s rising aviation profile. According to rankings presented at the conference, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recorded an 11.8% growth in air traffic movements in 2025—the fastest among Africa’s top airports. In cargo, Lagos ranked among the continent’s leaders with a remarkable 34.4% increase, the highest within the Top 10.

On domestic passenger traffic, two Nigerian airports—Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos—placed among Africa’s Top 10. Citing Official Airline Guide data, Mrs Kuku noted that Nigeria is now Africa’s second-largest domestic passenger market, with over 10.5 million passengers and 10% year-on-year growth.

“These are not just statistics,” she said. “They reflect the growing strategic importance of Nigeria as a key aviation, logistics, and commercial hub on the continent.”

Looking ahead, Mrs Kuku formally invited delegates to the next ACI Africa gathering, scheduled for 19–25 September 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme “Next Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience.” She called for a new breed of airports that are agile, financially sustainable, technologically enabled, and customer-focused.

“Hosting this next conference is both an honour and a responsibility,” she said. “We look forward to receiving you with the hospitality, energy, and spirit for which Nigeria is proudly known.”

She closed by thanking colleagues for their commitment to ACI Africa and wishing them safe travels home.

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