In an exclusive interview with OLASUNKANMI AKINLOTAN, Kuku discussed the challenges confronting FAAN, the agency’s actual responsibility regarding flight disruptions, measures being taken to eliminate touting at airports, and how her role as Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa could create new opportunities for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
She also addressed misconceptions surrounding her appointment as the first female Managing Director of FAAN, insisting that the challenges associated with the position are not defined by gender but by the complexity of managing a critical national institution.
According to Kuku, assuming leadership of FAAN revealed three major areas requiring urgent attention: infrastructure gaps, challenges within the aviation ecosystem, and human capital limitations.
She explained that while passengers often associate airport challenges with terminal facilities and passenger-facing services, other stakeholders, including airlines, pilots, ground handling companies, and FAAN employees, also experience operational difficulties.
“I want to correct that notion very quickly: the challenges I face are not because I am the first female MD or because I’m a woman, but because anyone who takes up this critical position for the nation will face them,” she said.
Kuku noted that the initial months of her administration were dedicated to understanding the existing challenges, identifying quick solutions, and developing a long-term strategy for sustainable improvements.
She said the agency’s priority was not only to upgrade physical infrastructure but also to improve processes, strengthen collaboration among aviation stakeholders, and build the capacity of FAAN personnel.
FAAN’s Role in Flight Delays
Addressing persistent complaints about flight delays and cancellations, Kuku clarified that FAAN is often blamed for disruptions despite the fact that the responsibility is shared among different aviation agencies.
She explained that FAAN’s mandate is to manage and operate federal government-owned airports while providing essential services such as airport fire and rescue operations and aviation security.
According to her, airlines are responsible for communicating operational delays, while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) serves as the regulator responsible for overseeing airlines and enforcing compliance.
“FAAN, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, manages and operates Federal Government-owned airports. We also provide statutory services for airport fire and rescue and aviation security,” she said.
She explained that FAAN’s role during flight disruptions is primarily to pass information received from airlines to passengers through airport communication systems, including public address announcements and flight information display screens.
However, she acknowledged that communication gaps have contributed to passenger frustration, as some airlines provide limited information about delays due to concerns over regulatory penalties.
Kuku revealed that FAAN had introduced service-level agreements involving the agency, airlines, and ground handling companies to improve accountability and create clearer expectations among stakeholders.
“From our perspective as FAAN, what we have done now, and, by the way, this has never existed in the history of FAAN, is provide service level agreements for the airlines, our ground handling companies and, of course, ourselves,” she said.
She added that the agreement would allow FAAN to apply greater scrutiny and improve coordination in managing airport operations.
Tackling Touting Through Stronger Enforcement
On the issue of touting at airports, Kuku said FAAN had discovered that many individuals involved in touting activities were not necessarily external operators but people connected to organisations operating within airport environments.
She explained that some offenders were employees of concessionaires, government agencies, or other service providers who misused their access to engage in unauthorised activities.
As part of the agency’s Operation Air Clean campaign, FAAN has introduced stricter enforcement measures, including penalties against individuals caught touting and sanctions against organisations linked to such activities.
“When you are caught, whether on duty or off duty, touting in the airport environment, not only are you penalised or your on-duty card collected, but the organisation you are affiliated with is also penalised,” she said.
She added that repeated violations could lead to the withdrawal of operational licences for affected companies, while government employees involved could face disciplinary actions, including redeployment.
Kuku also appealed to passengers to avoid patronising touts, warning that some individuals use such activities to facilitate illegal operations.
“If you see someone in the airport area whom you are sure is not staff, who is not in uniform, and who does not have a badge, do not give them your baggage, and do not give them money,” she advised.
According to her, eliminating touting requires cooperation between airport authorities and passengers, as some travellers knowingly engage unauthorised individuals for convenience or to bypass security procedures.
Why Lagos Receives More Attention
Explaining why many Operation Air Clean activities appear concentrated in Lagos, Kuku said the focus reflects the volume of operations at the airport.
She noted that Lagos handles a significant percentage of FAAN’s activities, particularly international passenger traffic, making it a major target for security and operational improvements.
“In Lagos, for example, 65–70 per cent of our operations take place. That is where you are seeing a lot more international passengers, and that is where you are seeing a lot of that touting happen,” she said.
She added that different airports face different challenges. While Lagos deals largely with passenger traffic and taxi-related issues, Kano has faced challenges involving illicit activities such as drug smuggling and illegal movement of gold, while Enugu has experienced more community-related concerns.
To address transportation challenges around airports, FAAN is developing a ride-hailing platform designed specifically for airport taxi operators.
Kuku said the platform would improve passenger safety, create organised taxi staging areas, provide fare transparency, and allow passengers to have better information about their drivers.
Nigeria’s Aviation Opportunity Through ACI Africa Role
Speaking on her appointment as Vice President of ACI Africa, Kuku said the position provides Nigeria with a stronger platform to influence global aviation conversations and access international expertise.
She explained that the role would enable Nigeria to contribute to discussions at both regional and global levels while benefiting from knowledge sharing, data access, and capacity development opportunities.
According to her, Nigeria has the potential to become a major aviation hub because of its geographical advantage, ongoing infrastructure improvements, and reforms aimed at creating better operating conditions for airlines.
“There is a huge opportunity for Nigeria to become a regional hub. Nigeria’s geographic footprint is ideal,” she said.
Kuku highlighted ACI’s role in providing airport service quality assessments, which FAAN has used to identify areas requiring improvement.
She said the focus of airport development must go beyond constructing new facilities to ensuring that existing infrastructure is properly maintained and delivers a comfortable experience for passengers.
“It is not just about continuing to build infrastructure; it is about maintaining that infrastructure, ensuring it is serviceable, ensuring passengers are comfortable, and providing a seamless experience,” she said.
She added that Nigeria’s airports must aspire to global standards where passengers experience efficient check-in processes, clean facilities, reliable services, and smooth security procedures.
According to Kuku, the ongoing reforms across Nigeria’s airports are aimed at creating a system where infrastructure, technology, human capacity, and customer service work together to improve the overall aviation experience.