Transit Passengers, Cargo Hold Key To Nigeria’s Aviation Future – FAAN Boss

The managing director and chief executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has identified transit passenger traffic and cargo operations as critical drivers of Nigeria’s aviation future, stressing that strategic investments in these areas will unlock significant growth opportunities for the sector.

Speaking during a panel discussion on “Strategic Direction on Aviation Financing and Infrastructure Development” at the African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo, the FAAN boss said the authority is repositioning Nigeria’s airports to capitalise on emerging opportunities in transit traffic, cargo development, and regional connectivity.

According to her, while access to funding remains important, attracting investment into aviation infrastructure depends largely on the availability of bankable projects backed by proper planning and market data.

Kuku noted that despite Nigeria’s population of over 220 million people, annual passenger traffic stands at about 17 million, representing less than 10 per cent of the population, indicating significant untapped potential in the market.

“We believe strongly that transit passengers, as well as cargo, represent huge opportunities for Nigeria’s aviation sector,” Kuku stated.

The FAAN chief explained that the authority has undertaken extensive needs assessments to identify viable investment opportunities across its network of airports, particularly in cargo operations.

She said FAAN regularly engages state governments seeking airport investments, but often discovers gaps in data relating to production volumes, export potential and value chains needed to support sustainable cargo operations.

To address these challenges, she said the authority has prioritised investments in hard infrastructure, including terminal facilities, airside infrastructure and cargo handling systems, while also focusing on safety and security-related infrastructure.

On passenger facilitation, the FAAN boss disclosed that the agency has developed a short, medium and long-term roadmap aimed at modernising airports and improving passenger experience.

Kuku said the authority is currently implementing several digital initiatives, including electronic gates, biometric processing systems, Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) systems, as well as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for baggage handling.

According to her, the immediate objective is not necessarily to build massive infrastructure, but to deploy facilities and technologies that make air travel more seamless and efficient for passengers.

The FAAN chief also said the authority is reviewing infrastructure requirements at secondary airports to determine appropriate investment models, including possible government-backed guarantee schemes to encourage airlines to operate on less viable routes.

She noted that while government intervention would remain necessary for safety-critical infrastructure that may not be immediately bankable, FAAN is exploring commercial opportunities in areas such as cargo development and the establishment of regional airport hubs to enhance sustainability and revenue generation.

The remarks underscore FAAN’s broader strategy of balancing commercially viable projects with socio-economic considerations as Nigeria seeks to expand and modernise its aviation infrastructure.