The certifications were awarded by MSECB, Canada, following a comprehensive and independent audit of FAAN’s systems and operations.

Henry Agbebire, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, said the achievement confirms that FAAN’s operational processes meet global standards for quality management, environmental responsibility, and continual improvement.

“It underscores the Authority’s commitment to delivering efficient, safe, and customer-focused airport services, while promoting sustainable environmental practices across all FAAN-managed airports.

“The attainment of these certifications further strengthens FAAN’s institutional credibility and positions Nigeria’s airports to compete more effectively on the global aviation stage.

“FAAN appreciates the continued support of its stakeholders and commends the dedication and professionalism of its workforce in achieving this important milestone.

He said that the Authority remains committed to upholding international best practices and continuously improving service delivery across the Nigerian aviation sector.

FAAN Receives ICAO Trainer Plus Gold Membership

Similarly, FAAN has successfully met the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Trainers Plus requirements, earning the prestigious Gold Member status in a significant milestone for aviation training and capacity development in Nigeria.

The certification is a mark of global excellence in aviation training.

This achievement, valid from January 1st 2026 to December 31st 2026, is a reflection of FAAN’s sustained commitment to excellence, global best practices, and the continuous professional development of aviation personnel.

The achievement is a testament of the dedication to human resource development championed by Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, the MD/CE of FAAN.

The ICAO Trainers Plus Programme is a globally recognized framework that ensures aviation training organizations meet stringent international standards for instructor competency, training delivery, and quality assurance.

By attaining Gold Member status, FAAN has demonstrated full compliance with ICAO’s rigorous benchmarks, positioning the Authority as a leading aviation training institution not only in Nigeria but across Africa.

“This recognition further strengthens FAAN’s role in promoting safe, efficient, and sustainable airport operations in line with international aviation standards”, the director Public Affairs, said.

Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN’s managing director/chief executive officer, made the remarks while congratulating the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for their tireless efforts that culminated in this achievement.

“I am profoundly proud and elated at this remarkable achievement,” Mrs. Kuku said in an official statement. “This success serves as further evidence of our nation’s capacity to achieve great things when we work together with a common purpose.”

She extended special commendations to Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, the chief executive officer of the NFIU, for her leadership and coordination of the agencies involved in ensuring Nigeria met FATF’s global compliance standards.

Mrs. Kuku explained that the development carries far-reaching economic and diplomatic benefits for Nigeria.

“Our removal from the FATF Grey List means that the country is no longer under enhanced international scrutiny for weaknesses in its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) systems. It restores global confidence in our financial systems, eases international trade, and enhances Nigeria’s attractiveness to foreign investors.”

Highlighting FAAN’s role in achieving this milestone, she added,

“I am proud that FAAN played a significant and substantive role in addressing the strategic deficiencies identified by the FATF. This accomplishment reinforces our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability.”

Mrs. Kuku further urged global and local investors to consider Nigeria a prime investment destination, assuring them of a secure, transparent, and rewarding business environment that guarantees sustainable returns.

The nomination was ratified on September 20, 2024, during the ACI Africa General Assembly held in South Africa, marking a significant milestone not only for Ms. Kuku, but for the entire African aviation community.

As a Regional Advisor, Olubunmi Kuku will play a pivotal role in shaping policies and strategies that impact airports across the continent.

Representing Africa on the ACI World Governing Board, which oversees 2, 100 airports and 814 members across 169 countries, Ms. Kuku will advocate for the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African airports.

Her extensive experience in Infrastructure finance and the aviation sector will be invaluable in addressing issues such as infrastructure development, safety regulations, and sustainable practices, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of African airports on a global scale.

In recognition of her outstanding leadership and the remarkable performance of airports under her management, Olubunmi Kuku and her team from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria were also honored with two prestigious safety awards during the ACI Africa Conference held in Johannesburg.

The accolades spotlighted the exceptional services and operational excellence of both the Port Harcourt International Airport and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

These awards reflect her commitment to elevating Nigeria’s aviation standards and her vision for a thriving and resilient aviation industry across Africa.

“I am deeply honoured to be elected as the Regional Advisor for Africa on the ACI World Governing Board,” said Olubunmi Kuku. “This role is not just a personal achievement; it is a collective victory for our nation and the African aviation sector. Together, we can foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence, ensuring that our airports are not only safe and efficient but also drivers of economic growth and development.”

Ms. Kuku’s election comes at a critical time when the global aviation industry is navigating through unprecedented challenges and opportunities.

Her leadership will be instrumental in promoting the interests of African airports, advocating for investment in infrastructure, and pushing for policies that support sustainable aviation practices.

As she embarks on this exciting new chapter, Olubunmi Kuku remains committed to her mission of transforming Nigeria’s aviation landscape and uplifting the African aviation sector. With her at the helm, the future looks bright for airports across the continent.

Profile of Olubunmi Kuku

Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in December 2023. With a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, she brings a unique blend of expertise to her role.

Prior to her appointment at FAAN, Mrs. Kuku held multiple leadership positions at leading Big 4 organizations, serving as a Partner at Ernst & Young and working with Deloitte Consulting.

Her exceptional leadership in the aviation sector includes serving as a technical advisor in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and as General Manager at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

Mrs. Kuku has been recognized for her commitment to advancing the industry and has held leadership roles on several boards and in multiple international organizations.

Her extensive background equips her to drive infrastructure development while ensuring safety and efficiency within the aviation sector.

With a passion for innovation and excellence, Mrs. Kuku is poised to make significant contributions to the growth of aviation in Nigeria and across Africa.

Over the last few years, we have witnessed a revolutionizing of the payment landscape with new technologies and new ways of payment emerging. 

Of the numerous innovations, contactless payments has emerged as a technology that is transforming the way people shop and how merchants operate worldwide, creating a faster, more convenient way to pay for everyone.

Beyond the novelty of new payment solutions, a key ask is how it impacts our everyday lives. This is where contactless transit solutions take centre stage.

These solutions are reimagining the way we pay to travel, providing customers with a fast, seamless, and safe experience.

Today, travel networks globally are faced with unique challenges especially with a growing population and urban migration.

With these trends, transport authorities are reimagining service delivery and exploring new ways to create seamless payment experiences. 

While the existing paper ticket systems have worked, with the emergence of digital economies, they are becoming unfit-for-purpose, creating greater concerns on cost, revenue assurance and sustainability. Transport authorities around the world are as such exploring contactless solutions to streamline collection processes to deliver true value for customers.

In Nigeria, transportation is a key sector of the economy contributing 2.2% to the country’s GDP. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, commercial road transport had a market value of 3.9trillion Naira as of 2022. However, the sector remains highly fragmented and is dominated by commercial and minibuses popularly known as Danfo & Korope respectively which account for more than 70% of the entire motorized commercial traffic volume in the country.

While there have been various initiatives to formalize the sector through updated laws, route management systems and the inclusion of the private sector in government bus programmes, there have been mild gains in terms of impact.  Contactless can be key to institutionalizing an efficient market structure enabling real-time visibility in transport systems, data driven decision making on route management and targeted audience engagements for other stakeholders. Most importantly, contactless can enable governments to introduce welfare measures in the form of subsidized pricing to cushion the effect of removal of subsidies on household incomes.

To drive successful implementation, low-cost solutions to accept payments through digital means such as contactless need to be made available to transporters. Connecting transporters back to the banking & payment systems is essential, enabling a better understanding of their contribution to the economy and informed actions by decision makers to determine how to support them.

Contactless has been a key success factor for highly efficient transport systems globally with the top 10 cities in the Urban Mobility Readiness Index of 2022, all using contactless as an enabler to gain efficiency through the reduction of queues for tickets and collection time associated with cash payments. Contactless has also enabled data collection in these systems to make better decisions on route and traffic management.  Transport for London (TFL), which is ranked 10^th on the Index, grew from 2,586 journeys in 2012 made using contactless to 2.5billion journeys as of 2022 highlighting the impact of the technology.

Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA) provides strategy advisory and support to financial institutions, fintechs and governments looking to   implement contactless solutions and to define strategies and initiatives to foster adoption.