The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) continues to grapple with a significant gender imbalance, as women account for only 27.65% of its 9,636 employees.
According to thesun.ng , this statistic underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving workplace inclusivity, despite increasing efforts to promote gender equity in professional environments.
With men holding a dominant 72.33% share, the imbalance, stakeholders note, highlights the urgent need for intentional efforts to foster gender equity in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
This crucial data was revealed this week when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, undertook a tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
While making her presentation, the Managing Director of the agency, Olubunmi Kuku, who made history as the first woman to head the agency after she was appointed in 2023, said that the total number of male employees in FAAN is 6,971 while females are 2,665. She however said that the agency is committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment, where women can thrive and contribute to the growth and development of the aviation industry.
She assured, however, that the agency is dedicated to cultivating a more inclusive and diverse workplace, where women are empowered to excel and actively contribute to the growth and progress of the aviation sector. Despite the 9,636 workforce, Kuku noted that more workers are needed to replenish the depleted manpower stock.
“FAAN struggles with a shortage of staff across various directorates which impact its ability to effectively manage operations, maintenance, and customer service. The under-resourcing of critical roles hinders the agency’s ability to meet the growing needs of the aviation industry,” she said.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Corrections and Human Development, Obioma Agoziem, told Daily Sun that Kuku’s call for more workers should not just be about filling positions but that there should be an intentional and deliberate effort to foster a culture of inclusivity.
She acknowledged that the aviation sector has traditionally been seen as male-dominated, but that Kuku’s administration can change this stereotype by implementing policies and initiatives that promote gender equality.
Agoziem said the underrepresentation of women in FAAN’s workforce was not an isolated case but a reflection of a pervasive problem across various sectors.
She explained that it was a breach of Nigeria’s National Gender Policy which was put in place to ensure equal representation and opportunities for all genders within government institutions and to address systemic discrimination and promote gender equality in the workplace.
“The gender disparity in FAAN is very unfortunate but it is not an isolated case and despite the fact that Nigeria has a gender policy, this gap remains substantial. It is good that this is being highlighted and since the MD has said more staff are needed, there should be a very deliberate effort to ensure that in the next recruitment, competent women should be given priority,” she said.
