The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has renewed calls for enhanced institutional collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force to reinforce security architecture within Nigeria’s airport system.
She made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting the Commander of the National Air Defence Corps, Air Vice Marshal Japhet Ekwuribe, who paid a courtesy visit to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation between both organisations.
During the meeting, Mrs Kuku drew attention to the dynamic and increasingly sophisticated security threats facing modern aviation, emphasising that effective mitigation requires synergy among critical stakeholders.
She maintained that sustained collaboration, anchored on intelligence sharing and coordinated operational responses, remains key to securing airport environments.
The FAAN chief outlined several priority areas where closer cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force would yield significant benefits. These include intensified airside patrol operations, strengthened communication channels for sensitive and high-risk flight movements, and enhanced monitoring of activities around airport vicinities.
She further identified land encroachment as a pressing concern, warning that illegal developments and unauthorised use of land surrounding airports could pose serious risks to both safety and security.
Mrs Kuku called for a unified approach involving all relevant agencies to curb the trend and preserve the integrity of aviation infrastructure.
Reaffirming FAAN’s commitment to safety and operational excellence, she noted that the Authority places high value on its partnership with the Air Force and is keen to expand collaborative frameworks that will address emerging threats within the aviation sector.
In his remarks, Air Vice Marshal Ekwuribe expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended FAAN for its forward-looking approach to aviation security management.
He described the engagement as timely and necessary, given the evolving nature of threats within the air transport ecosystem.
He assured that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to supporting FAAN through improved aerial surveillance, rapid response capabilities, and strategic coordination aimed at enhancing overall airport security.
Ekwuribe added that strengthening institutional linkages would not only improve situational awareness but also ensure quicker and more effective responses to potential security breaches.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to continuous dialogue and the establishment of practical, result-oriented strategies that will sustain safety, security, and efficiency across Nigeria’s airports.
The engagement highlights a growing recognition of the need for inter-agency collaboration in protecting critical national infrastructure and ensuring the resilience of the country’s aviation industry.
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