Nigeria’s aviation industry is experiencing a significant resurgence, marked by impressive strides under the leadership of a female Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, a first in the sector’s history.
In just 11 months, the industry has witnessed the recertification of two major airports, a feat that had been elusive for over four years.
In an interview, Former General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati says, this achievement has not only garnered international recognition but has also elevated Nigeria’s position on the global aviation map.
The country’s recent successes, including the award of two prestigious accolades at the ACI Airport Council International Conference in South Africa and the appointment of the FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs Kuku as the board chair of the Africa Region of the Airport Council International, ACI, he noted underscore the transformative impact of this new leadership.
“All these are achievements within such a short time for somebody who is coming into a male-dominated industry, but her training in finance and also being not a novice in the aviation sector, have assisted so much because she came with a focus, with a direction”.
Key factors driving this positive trajectory include a strong emphasis on safety and security, according to Dati, the Managing Director has prioritized training initiatives, investing significant resources in upgrading the aviation training school to international standards.
This commitment to human capital development is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry, he asserts.
“Within one week in office, the managing director has signed the safety protocol and also has been able to train, from what I heard, about 1,400 staff, 2,000 man hours of training in the areas of safety for both staff and stakeholders”.
“Now, aviation is a regulated industry, and it operates based on the technicalities of training and when you talk about people, you are talking about an airport where what is key is people, process, and procedure. You have the people, they need the process, they need the technology, and that’s where training comes in, so prioritizing training has been able to make her work easier and in such a short time, the early fruits are already dropping for everybody to see and to the celebration and acclaim of everybody”, he added.
The recertification of airports, a rigorous process aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to meeting global aviation benchmarks.
While two airports have already been recertified, several others are undergoing the process, signaling a broader effort to modernize and upgrade the country’s aviation infrastructure.
The benefits of these advancements are far-reaching, Mr. Dati stressed that, for the flying public, translates to improved service quality, enhanced safety standards, and greater confidence in the Nigerian aviation sector.
While for the economy, it stimulates growth by attracting international airlines and facilitating increased trade and tourism.
However, challenges persist. Issues such as delayed and canceled flights, inadequate air traffic controllers, and high airfares remain concerns.
Addressing these challenges, the former FAAN’s image maker maintained, requires a multifaceted approach, including continued investment in infrastructure, human capital development, and regulatory oversight.
He expressed the optimism that, as Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to evolve, the leadership of a dynamic and visionary female leader is poised to drive further progress and solidify the country’s position as a regional aviation hub.
