Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku: A Trailblazer In Nigeria’s Aviation Industry
In an inspiring chapter of Nigeria’s aviation history, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku stands out as a remarkable leader. As the first woman to hold the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), her nearly two-year tenure has sparked transformative changes, enhancing employee welfare, airport infrastructure, and the overall experience for passengers. Under her stewardship, FAAN is entering a new era characterized by professionalism, accountability, and excellence.
Mrs. Kuku’s visionary leadership has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. She was recently elected Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI), marking a significant achievement that elevates Nigeria’s presence in global aviation discussions. This honour reflects her dedication and commitment to nurturing and advancing aviation standards both domestically and internationally.
Central to her reforms is a genuine investment in staff welfare. Breaking away from the neglect of previous administrations, she has successfully implemented the new national minimum wage approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Beyond just wage increases, she has introduced improved conditions of service, including car loan schemes, mandatory housing mortgage opportunities through the Federal Mortgage Housing Bank, and regular healthcare checks, creating a grateful and motivated workforce.
These initiatives underscore Mrs. Kuku’s dedication to the dignity, health, and future security of staff, fostering an atmosphere of trust and productivity within FAAN.
Mrs. Kuku’s vision reaches every region of Nigeria, not just major cities like Lagos and Abuja. A key initiative has been the approval and installation of modern X-ray machines across all Nigerian airports, especially at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). This aligns our security measures with international best practices, enhancing both passenger safety and efficiency.
Most significantly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the long-awaited reconstruction of MMIA, and work has officially begun. This landmark project will not only address years of structural decline but also position MMIA as a world-class gateway.
Other modernization efforts under her leadership include new elevators and escalators, upgraded boarding bridges, automated baggage handling systems, and state-of-the-art cooling systems—all designed to elevate passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
Training and innovation are cornerstones of her administration. Through collaborations with global institutions, staff in areas like aviation security, engineering, operations, and administration receive ICAO-certified programs, equipping them to meet world-class standards. Career progression schemes offer employees clear pathways for growth.
Additionally, the introduction of new systems and technology-driven innovations has streamlined operations across Nigeria’s airports, replacing outdated practices with efficiency and transparency.
Mrs. Kuku has redefined the passenger journey, replacing confusing multi-agency bottlenecks with coordinated procedures. Customer feedback desks, better-trained frontline staff, and improved signage create a welcoming and efficient environment. In vital hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, passengers now experience an atmosphere of dignity, security, and order.
In a short span of almost two years, Mrs. Kuku has re-imagined leadership at FAAN ,melding courage, vision, and empathy. Her administration is a champion of staff welfare, a modernizer of critical infrastructure, and an enhancer of the passenger experience.
Her recent election as Vice President of ACI, the initiation of MMIA’s reconstruction, the widespread deployment of new X-ray machines, improved conditions of service, and innovative welfare policies position her as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Her accomplishments illustrate the extraordinary effects that can arise when commitment meets competence. Thanks to Mrs. Kuku’s leadership, Nigeria is witnessing the emergence of a globally competitive, employee-empowered, and passenger-friendly aviation ecosystem.
WRITTEN BY ENGR. OYEYEMI OKEKUNLE OKEWUYI, MNSE, R.Eng
AGM, FAAN
