The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has described the Authority’s annual sports competition as an integral part of its strategy to enhance the physical fitness, mental alertness, and overall wellbeing of its workforce.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony of the 2025 FAAN Sports Games held at the FAAN Secondary School, Lagos, Mrs Kuku said sports play a vital role in maintaining the health and productivity of staff who perform demanding tasks across Nigeria’s airports.
Represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, the FAAN Managing Director noted that the event transcends the idea of competition, serving as a platform to promote teamwork, discipline, and unity among employees.
“Sports help in building resilience, promoting physical fitness, and enhancing mental alertness,” Mrs Kuku stated. “As we go about our duties, we must not forget the importance of physical and mental wellbeing, which is essential for the efficient running of our airports.”
She urged participants to embrace fair play and camaraderie, stressing that sporting activities not only strengthen interpersonal relationships but also boost staff morale and team spirit, which are critical to effective service delivery.
Capt. Mahmood, alongside other top officials including the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr Lukman Eniola, performed the ceremonial kick-off that marked the beginning of the competition.
He encouraged staff to demonstrate sportsmanship and teamwork, describing the tournament as a reflection of FAAN’s commitment to staff welfare and unity.
The opening ceremony featured a novelty football match between management staff teams – Team Blue and Team Yellow – comprising both male and female players drawn from various directorates.
The friendly encounter, according to the organisers, was designed to promote unity and strengthen bonds across the organisation.
In addition to football, the event showcased inter-directorate cycling contests involving both male and female competitors, highlighting FAAN’s efforts to diversify sporting activities and encourage wider participation among staff.
The day’s major football fixture witnessed the Directorate of Engineering Services (DES) dethrone the defending champions, the Directorate of Aviation Security Services (DASS), with a 1–0 victory after a tense encounter.
Addressing the participants after the match, Dr Eniola commended all teams for their enthusiasm and dedication, describing the opening day as a resounding success.
He noted that the competition had already achieved its purpose of fostering friendship, teamwork, and a sense of belonging among staff.
He added that the sporting event also serves as a platform to identify talented players who would represent the Authority in inter-agency and Civil Service Games.
“At the end of the competition, we aim to build a formidable FAAN team capable of representing the Authority with pride at the Civil Service Games and in other inter-agency tournaments,” Dr Eniola said.
Last year’s edition saw the Directorate of Aviation Security Services (DASS) emerge champions after edging out the Managing Director/Directorate of Legal Services (MD/DLS) 5–4 on penalties, following a 2–2 draw at full time.
The Directorate of Airport Operations (DAO) finished in third place after defeating the Directorate of Engineering Services (DES) in a penalty shootout.
According to the organisers, this year’s edition promises even greater excitement and camaraderie as staff from various directorates compete not just for medals, but also to reinforce FAAN’s values of unity, wellness, and excellence.
The Authority maintained that its investment in staff sports development is a reflection of its broader vision of building a strong, healthy, and motivated workforce – one that remains physically fit and mentally agile to sustain safe, efficient, and customer-friendly airport operations across the country.
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