What FAAN Will Achieve With 2025 Safety Week Initiative, By Kuku
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku says the on-going FAAN 2025 Safety Week Initiative aims to “enhance how aviation professionals manage disagreements, stress, and diverse opinions, especially in high-stakes environments where clear communication can make all the difference.”
Kuku said today in a press briefing to mark the event that “we acknowledge some of the unfortunate incidents that have occurred at our terminals recently. By equipping our workforce with the necessary tools to de-escalate tensions and foster understanding, we are actively building a safer and more resilient industry.”
She said this year’s theme of the event, “Navigating Conflicts for a Safer Aviation Industry in Nigeria” “was carefully selected to reflect our ongoing commitment to safety, collaboration, and the professional well-being of everyone within Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. As we all know, aviation safety does not depend solely on technology; human factors such as communication, trust, and teamwork play a crucial role. Where conflict arises, safety can be jeopardized. That is why this year, we have chosen to focus not just on compliance but on raising awareness about the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence, conflict management skills, and a culture of respect across all levels of the industry. This is vital if we are to uphold the safety of passengers, stakeholders, and staff.
We can all agree that this effort aligns with global best practices and FAAN’s vision of excellence and accountability—to be among the world’s leading airport groups. This will be achieved by providing safe, secure, and efficient airport facilities and services, transforming our airports into dynamic, customer-centred hubs that showcase Nigerian culture, leveraging technology, and fostering partnerships to enhance infrastructure and operational excellence.
This reinforces the belief that every voice in aviation matters—from passengers to cabin crew, from air traffic controllers to engineers, and all the way to management—each contributes to the integrity and safety of our industry,” Kuku explained.
She further said FAAN was improving its training and awareness programmes and extending them to other relevant areas and that there had been emphasis on awareness creation in critical areas like Dangerous Goods and airport procedures.
On wildlife and environmental issues, she said there is an increase of awareness creation and engagement of neigbouring communities while reaching out to various organizations. She said letters had already been written to organizations, truck drivers and those who park and abandon vehicles indiscriminately, adding that FAAN has equally reached out to Lagos State government for collaboration. She stated that “all those inhabitants should please relocate because we will soon embark on forceful actions.”
Following this briefing, a robust interactive session on the operations and practices of Safety Management Systems (SMS) was held with the Directors so as to keep the FAAN Management Team abreast of international best practices in aviation safety.
