The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed some airport runways in the country have outlived their life span. This is especially worrying as a number of near-disaster have been recorded in some airports in the country.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, who made the disclosure, said a whopping N580 billion is needed for the rehabilitation of airport runways across the country.
Kuku made the remark during the tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) by the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Kana Ibrahim on Wednesday.
She explained that the life span of an airport runway was between 20 to 25 years and that most of the airports were built in 1978. She said that many of FAAN’s facilities, including terminals and runways, were aging and in need of significant repairs and upgrades.
Kuku added that other challenges included aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, land encroachment, security, financial constraints, and non-availability of befitting office complex among others.
She said that the situation affected operational efficiency and safety, and necessitated substantial investment for modernisation.
Kuku, however, disclosed that the authority generated N343 billion from January to November 2024 and remitted N128.7 billion into the federation’s coffers in 2024.
The FAAN boss said that the authority aimed at increasing its revenue in 2025 by adopting innovative strategies to increase non-aeronautical revenue streams.
She explained that the streams included commercial concessions, advertising, real estate development, and cargo operations. Kuku also hinted that FAAN would also focus on Public Private Partnership to expand investment opportunities and develop underutilised assets in 2025.
According to her, FAAN will invest in state-of-the-art security systems, including biometric screening and advanced surveillance technologies to ensure compliance with global standards.
“Staff training on aviation security and safety procedures will be intensified to address emerging challenges and risks in the industry. FAAN will upgrade and maintain e-procurement systems to reduce technical downtimes; we plan to align FAAN’s goals with National Aviation policies and international standards.
FAAN will integrate environmentally sustainable practices into its operations, focusing on energy efficiency, waste management, and carbon emission reductions,” she said.
Kuku also said that improving critical facilities at major international airports would be prioritised while regional airport capacity would be enhanced to meet growing passenger and cargo demands.
In his speech, the permanent secretary commended the structural framework and leadership of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Ibrahim expressed confidence in the ongoing transformation within the aviation sector, commending the dexterity of Kuku in enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for FAAN in sustaining the momentum of development, while prioritising comprehensive trainings for personnel for sustainability .
“The aviation sector demands constant innovation and expertise, I therefore, urge everyone to put on their thinking caps and contribute to improving the system.
“Together, we can elevate Nigeria’s aviation industry to global standards,” he noted.
Ibrahim, additionally, attributed the success recorded at FAAN to the visionary leadership of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN.