The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed that rehabilitating runways across the nation’s airports will require N580 billion. This announcement was made by FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, during a facility tour at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport alongside Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the recently redeployed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Kuku emphasized that many of the runways, built in the late 1970s, have exceeded their 20–25-year lifespan, creating operational inefficiencies and safety concerns. “N580 billion is required to fix runways across all airports. Their lifespan is between 20 to 25 years, but most of the airports were built in 1978,” she said.
She also highlighted the urgent need to modernize FAAN’s aging infrastructure, including terminals, fire tenders, generators, and conveyor systems, which are outdated and expensive to maintain. Security challenges, such as land encroachment due to a lack of perimeter fencing and increasing threats from rising air travel, were also identified as pressing issues.
To address these challenges, FAAN plans to implement a comprehensive modernization program in 2025. This initiative includes renovating terminals, expanding runways, upgrading navigational aids, and constructing a centralized headquarters to streamline operations. Efforts will focus on improving facilities at major international airports and boosting regional airport capacities to meet growing passenger and cargo demands.
The modernization blueprint also aims to incorporate sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency, waste management, and carbon emissions reduction. Additionally, FAAN plans to enhance employee welfare, intensify security training, and align its operations with international aviation standards.
FAAN is exploring innovative revenue strategies, including commercial concessions, real estate development, advertising, and cargo operations, to offset the financial burden of these upgrades. A reported N128.7 billion was remitted into the Federation Account in 2024, with a significant increase in net inflows due to reduced revenue leakages.
Kuku reiterated the need for deliberate and sustained efforts to address long-standing issues, emphasizing that many haphazard jobs and abandoned projects have hindered progress. “The runways require major rehabilitation,” she stated, affirming FAAN’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
