Nigeria’s aviation sector has received a major boost on the continental stage as the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, spotlighted the country’s impressive performance, with Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport emerging as Africa’s fastest-growing airport by traffic movement.
Speaking at the close of the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Luanda, Kuku delivered a strong message on the future of African aviation, underscoring the need for resilience, innovation and deeper collaboration across the continent.
The multi-day gathering, themed “Stronger Airports, Stronger Africa,” drew policymakers, airport operators and industry leaders to examine how airports can better support economic transformation. In her keynote closing remarks, Kuku described airports as critical national infrastructure with far-reaching impact beyond travel.
“Airports are not merely gateways; they are catalysts for economic development, facilitating trade, tourism, and regional integration,” she said, while acknowledging the hospitality of the Angolan government and the support of the Airports Council International Africa.
Backing her remarks with data, Kuku revealed that Lagos airport recorded an 11.8 per cent increase in air traffic movements in 2025, the highest growth rate among Africa’s busiest airports. The airport also excelled in cargo handling, posting a 34.4 per cent surge—making it the top performer among the continent’s leading cargo hubs.
She added that Nigeria’s aviation footprint continues to expand domestically, with both Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport ranking among Africa’s top 10 airports for domestic passenger traffic.
According to figures from the Official Airline Guide, Nigeria now holds the position of Africa’s second-largest domestic aviation market, recording more than 10.5 million passengers and a 10 per cent year-on-year increase.
Kuku noted that these gains reflect broader structural improvements and growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. She stressed that sustained growth would depend on long-term planning, smarter infrastructure investments, and stronger public-private partnerships.
Looking forward, the FAAN boss extended a formal invitation to delegates for the next edition of the conference, scheduled to take place in Abuja from September 19 to 25, 2026. The upcoming event will centre on the theme “Next Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” with a focus on building agile, technology-driven and customer-oriented airport systems.
“Hosting Africa in Abuja is both a privilege and a call to action,” Kuku said. “We are committed to delivering a conference that reflects the dynamism and potential of the continent’s aviation sector.”
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