Nigeria’s aviation sector is being urged to seize a multibillion-dollar global opportunity as passenger traffic reaches historic highs, according to Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who delivered the opening speech at the FAAN National Aviation Conference 2025 on Monday.
Speaking at the Eko Hotel Convention Center, Mrs. Kuku highlighted new global aviation projections that underscore why Nigeria must accelerate investments, partnerships, and modernisation across its airports.
The conference, themed “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership, and Global Engagements,” has drawn top dignitaries, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as several state governors and senior government officials. The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo SAN, CON, serves as Chief Convener.
Mrs. Kuku noted that the worldwide aviation industry is experiencing a dramatic rebound. “Global passenger traffic is set to hit a historic 4.99 billion this year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels,” she said, referencing new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
She added that projections from Airports Council International (ACI) point to an even more explosive future, with passenger numbers expected to surge to 9.7 billion by 2040.
According to her, Africa—and Nigeria in particular—stands at the centre of this next wave of aviation expansion. “This is not just a statistic, it is a signal,” she said. “A signal of billions of journeys, connections, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked.”
Mrs. Kuku acknowledged Nigeria’s current aviation challenges, including infrastructural gaps and economic pressures, but urged stakeholders to view them differently. “These are not merely obstacles,” she emphasized. “They are Nigeria’s unparalleled investment portfolio.”
She called for a renewed focus on private sector partnerships, strategic funding, modern airport infrastructure, and stronger global engagement to position Nigeria as a dominant aviation hub in Africa.
The two-day FAAN National Aviation Conference is expected to produce policy recommendations, investment commitments, and collaborative frameworks that will guide Nigeria’s aviation development over the coming decade.
