Fed Govt mulls waste to power initiatives for airports ….As Keyamo orders installation of solar infrastructure at MMIA

 Fed Govt mulls  waste to power initiatives for airports

 

….As Keyamo orders installation of solar infrastructure at MMIA

The Federal Government has concluded plans to activate its ambitious Waste to Power Initiative, aimed at turning waste/ refuse materials into a valuable source of energy.

The new move is part of Nigeria's  compliance with global commitments for the Airports Carbon Accreditation programme managed by Airports Council International (ACI).

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, disclosed this yesterday during the launch of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Circular Economy at the Conference Room of the new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA),in Lagos.

Keyamo, while lauding the move by FAAN to pursue the Clean/Green Energy Initiatives for airports , said Nigeria was switching to global best practices as many countries , had taken steps to migrate from the use of fossil fuels in running their airports to the utilisation of alternate sources of power , including solar technology.

The minister directed the contractor : Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company ( CCECC)  handling the burnt terminal of the old international airport to ensure solar fields are installed in the roof of the facility to provide clean energy in powering aspects of the facility when completed.

Keyamo said the Waste - to Power Initiative , could not have come at a better time, when Nigeria must switch and align itself with the trend gaining traction for global cleaner and greener airports.

Keyamo  said the new move is also in line with the programmes enunciated by global aviation regulators : ACI and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He said : "Today FAAN is aligning with global best practices , as what we are launching today is actually the trend all over the world to cleaner and greener airports. In fact, there are airports in the United Kingdom that are already implementing zero or no emission . They deploy solar panels everywhere powering both aeronautical and non aeronautical sides of these airports.

"This is the reason, I have directed the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company that our new airport they are constructing in Lagos, must be partly powered by solar energy. There has to be  a solar field on the roof . That was the directive I gave to them  while they were designing  to ensure that  solar panels are provided to at least power the non- aeronautical parts of the airport."

Keyamo said the new arrangement aligns with the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , in pushing for the adoption of green energy and the pursuit of carbon emission programmes. 

Keyamo went on : "Mr President is also very , very passionate about green energy. I am sure you have seen that he has attended and approved the attendance of Nigeria in most of these programmes round the world . Mr President is very passionate about it and this programme aligns with his vision."

Earlier in her address, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku described the programme as  a new era of environmental stewardship for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

She said in  line with FAAN’s circular economy goals and its  unwavering commitments towards Airport Carbon Emission Reduction, it is  unveiling  the first phase of the  comprehensive Circular Economy Program:

Kuku said : " In 2023, this airport generated approximately 1,446 tonnes of waste. By 2024, we recorded a modest yet encouraging reduction to about 1,383 tonnes. However, the sobering reality remains that, regardless of volume, every single tonne was consigned to landfill—completely unsorted, entirely unrecycled, and representing a monumental lost opportunity. 

"That chapter closes today. From this moment, we are overhauling our approach with the strategic precision our operations demands. This milestone inaugurates Phase One, embedding source sorting across our terminals. By initiating separation at the point of generation, we are transforming every passenger, partner, and staff member into an active guardian of our shared environmental destiny. But this is just the beginning. This indoor system is the vital first step that will feed into Phase Two: the introduction of outdoor mammoth colour-coded waste recycling bins. These large-scale receptacles will serve as the central collection points for the sorted waste from across the airport ecosystem.

"Finally, in Phase Three, we will engage a certified third-party expert who will collect the sorted waste—specifically, Plastics, Glass, Cans, and Organic waste—and transport it to dedicated recycling facilities. This partnership ensures that our waste is not merely moved, but transformed.We are not embarking on this initiative to comply with regulations or global trends; we are doing so because it makes sound business sense.

" By aligning with the global waste management hierarchy of Re-use, Recovery, and Re-cycle, we ensure we adequately account for the waste generated around our airports.This initiative will assist the organisation in significantly reducing overhead costs associated with procuring new products. By creating a demand for recycled materials, we close the loop and lower our operational expenditure. Furthermore, this program will drastically reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, thereby alleviating pressure on our local environment.

" And we are not stopping there; this is a foundational step as we plan to activate our ambitious Waste-to-Power initiative, turning our waste into a valuable energy source.Our actions today are deeply connected to our global commitments. As you are aware, the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, managed by ACI, is the global standard for carbon management in airports. This recycling initiative is a critical component of our Carbon Management Plan, propelling us further on our trajectory to achieve net-zero requirements. 

"We are not just talking about sustainability; we are engineering it into our operations.I must also reiterate that FAAN is fully aware of the potential environmental and social impacts of our operations. As an airport operator, we are focused on generating revenue, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to do so responsibly. We strive to be environmentally responsible in our operations, ensuring that our business growth is in perfect harmony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“Waste is everybody’s business.” From the passenger dropping a plastic bottle, to the concessionaire managing their packaging, to the airline handling inflight catering—we all have a role to play. I urge you to embrace this system, to use these bins correctly, and to join us in building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable aviation industry for Nigeria.

Also speaking, Chairman of FAAN Board and former Kano State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Ganduje, commended the authority for introducing a system for recycling waste to other by-products, that will provide a source of energy to power airports. He assured of the board's support for the lofthy initiative. 

Meanwhile, Keyamo , Ganduje , Kuku and others embarked on a tour of facilities at the Pilgrim's Terminal, where they lauded the massive renovation and infrastructure renewal work at the facility geared towards delivering a seamless pilgrimage  experience.

They said the massive uplift of facilities aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's agenda for the aviation sector.

After inspecting the facility, Mr Keyamo said the project reflects the President’s commitment to revitalising airport infrastructure, adding that similar upgrades are underway across the country, with Kano and other Hajj terminals next in line.

The Minister described the renovated terminal as meeting high operational standards despite limited resources, noting that it now boasts modern passenger screening systems, improved boarding areas, dedicated prayer halls, and VIP and VVIP facilities.

He commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, led by Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, for delivering the project.

Mrs. Kuku said the terminal can process between 8,500 and 10,000 pilgrims during the Hajj season, explaining that the once-dilapidated facility has been transformed into a modern passenger terminal with improved cooling systems, immigration and customs processing areas.

Others are, baggage facilities, prayer halls, lounges, and fully equipped VIP and VVIP suites to enhance passenger comfort.

Chairman of the FAAN Board, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, described the renovation as clear evidence that the Federal Government’s aviation reforms are yielding results.

According to him, the transformation demonstrates effective implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda and has already earned positive feedback from pilgrims.