The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has attained the prestigious Gold Member status under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) TRAINAIR PLUS Programme, marking a major milestone for aviation training and capacity development in Nigeria.
FAAN met all ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS requirements following a rigorous assessment process, earning a certification that is valid from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. The Gold Member status represents global recognition of excellence in aviation training and confirms that FAAN’s training systems meet international standards for instructor competency, course development, training delivery and quality assurance.
The achievement reflects FAAN’s sustained commitment to global best practices and continuous professional development across the aviation value chain. It also underscores the strong emphasis placed on human capital development under the leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, whose administration has prioritised capacity building as a foundation for safer, more efficient airport operations.
The ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Programme is a globally recognised framework designed to harmonise aviation training worldwide, ensuring that training organisations produce competent aviation professionals capable of operating in a highly regulated and safety-critical industry. By attaining Gold Member status, FAAN has demonstrated full compliance with ICAO’s stringent benchmarks, positioning itself among a select group of aviation training institutions recognised for excellence.
For the Nigerian aviation industry, the certification carries far-reaching implications. It strengthens local training capacity, reduces reliance on foreign training institutions, and enhances Nigeria’s ability to develop a highly skilled aviation workforce in-country. This is expected to improve operational safety, service quality and regulatory compliance across airports and related aviation services nationwide.
The recognition also elevates Nigeria’s profile within the global aviation community and opens opportunities for collaboration with other ICAO-accredited training centres worldwide. For domestic aviation training institutions, FAAN’s Gold Member status sets a new benchmark, encouraging the adoption of higher standards in curriculum design, instructor qualification and quality management systems.
With this achievement, FAAN is better positioned to support the long-term growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation sector, contribute to regional capacity development in Africa, and play a more influential role in shaping aviation training standards aligned with international best practices.
