….urges stakeholders to invest in the future of nigerian aviation
The launch of “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria”, a book by veteran journalist Wole Shadare, has sparked a renewed sense of pride and optimism in the country’s aviation sector.
As the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, noted in her keynote speech, Nigeria’s aviation journey has been a remarkable transformation from a single British aircraft landing in Kano in 1925 to the hundreds of planes that now crisscross the country’s skies daily.
Giving statistics to show how the sector has grown, she said, today, Nigeria boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports nationwide, and over 2,100 licensed pilots, with a workforce of thousands of professionals, including engineers and air traffic controllers.
While the sector contributes approximately $1.7 billion to the country’s GDP, with private airlines connecting cities with unprecedented efficiency and international carriers increasingly regarding Nigeria as a critical market.
Last year, over 16 million passengers passed through domestic terminals, while international passenger numbers exceeded 3.5 million.
However, Kuku acknowledged that the journey has not been without its challenges, including the mismanagement and operational inefficiencies that plagued the national carrier, Nigeria Airways, in the past.
The private sector’s intervention in the early 2000s marked a significant turning point, she pointed out with companies like Air Peace and Arik Air revolutionizing the aviation landscape.
As Nigeria looks to the future, Kuku emphasized that the opportunities for growth are substantial, despite lingering challenges such as infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory frameworks, and financing requirements.
She urged stakeholders to perceive these challenges as opportunities for investment, rather than obstacles, and to recognize that the country’s skies are not just thoroughfares for aircraft, but highways to prosperity.
The book launch served as a reminder of Nigeria’s modest beginnings and a vibrant vision of the future, with Kuku posing a challenge to stakeholders to invest in the country’s aviation sector and uphold the standards of the industry.
