Aligbe says Kuku’s ACI appointment bodes well for Nigerian aviation 

• FAAN chief joins ACI global board as regional advisor

• FAAN wins big at gala night

Olubunmi Kuku, managing director, FAAN

Sade Williams/Business a.m.

Chris Aligbe, a longstanding aviation industry player and consultant, has described the recent appointment of Olubunmi Kuku, managing director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), as regional advisor to the world governing board of Airports Council International (ACI) as boding well for Nigeria’s aviation industry, especially on the back of her deep understanding of the technicalities, which represents a huge plus.

Aligbe, the chief executive officer of Belujane Konzult, an aviation consultancy firm, who was reacting to Kuku and her team’s performance at the ACI recent conference noted that Kuku’s appointment as a regional advisor to the World Governing Board of the ACI World Council under one year of her appointment as the managing director of FAAN, would be a welcome surprise to most in the industry.

“In a short time, she has shown great understanding and insight into the demands and dictates of airport positioning in the air travel chain. She has begun to address this quietly but very effectively.

“Most importantly, with her management style, she freed her airport managers from the restrictive encasement of bureaucratic red tape that held them back from expressing themselves professionally. The exploits of airport managers in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Warri, Owerri, and others as seen in the recently held NIGAV Peer Review were quite evidential.

“It is therefore quite exciting and heartwarming that a highly reputable international industry body such as Airport Council International has recognised Mrs Kuku’s achievements. Her appointment, for me, is not only a source of pride for Nigeria, the government, and her supervisory minister but also for FAAN and industry stakeholders at large. She gives hope for the future,” Aligbe stressed.

Kuku’s appointment was announced during the 33rd ACI Africa Regional Conference, which took place at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the Port Harcourt International Airport under the watch of Kuku were also recognised for their safety performance from February to September 2024.

ACI Africa recognised the two international airports’ “engagement towards the practice of excellence in airport emergency management and resilience.”

The airports were awarded plaques during the conference’s Gala Night and Kuku was on hand to lead the Nigerian delegation in accepting the awards presented by Ali Tounsi, secretary general, ACI Africa, and Emmanuel Chaves, president, ACI Africa. Both awards are for “Excellence in Airport Emergency Management and Resilience.”

Kuku expressed her delight at winning two awards in separate categories, emphasising the focus on safety and passenger comfort in Nigeria.

“We’re highly delighted to have won two awards in two separate categories. It really shows where our focus is for Nigeria. We’re heavily focused on safety and, of course, passenger comfort,” she said.