The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has replaced its 2005 airport by-laws with a new regulatory framework aimed at addressing changes in airport security, commercial operations and passenger management across the country’s airports.
The 2025 FAAN By-Laws, unveiled in Lagos, mark the first comprehensive review of the authority’s regulations in 21 years. The revised framework introduces new rules on airport security, passenger conduct, concession management and airport transport operations as FAAN seeks to bring its regulatory system in line with current aviation realities.
Olubunmi Kuku the managing director and chief executive officer of FAAN, said the 2005 regulations no longer reflected the demands of Nigeria’s aviation industry the previous by-laws, last reviewed in 2005, were no longer effective in addressing the demands of the modern aviation environment, Kuku said.
She said the revised document would serve as a comprehensive operational guide for FAAN employees, airport users, concessionaires and other industry partners.
The revised by-laws will serve as a comprehensive operational guide for FAAN staff, airport users, stakeholders and relevant partners, she said, adding that the framework would support more secure and commercially viable airport operations.
Under the new framework, FAAN introduced strict measures against disruptive passenger behaviour, giving Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers clear legal backing to arrest offenders before handing them over to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution.
Passengers found guilty of assaulting airport workers, disrupting airport operations, damaging facilities or gaining unauthorized access to restricted areas could face fines of up to ₦1 million, jail terms where applicable and placement on a national no-fly list for offenders.
The regulations also require airport transport operators to adopt digital platforms, which is aimed at improving passenger safety and reducing the activities of unregistered commercial transport operators around airport terminals.
For businesses operating within airports, the by-laws introduce tight oversight of concession agreements, commercial activities and financial reporting.
Airport concessionaires, including retailers, restaurants, lounges and transport operators, will operate under updated commercial rules designed to improve compliance and accountability.
The framework also provides clear operational standards for airport users while aligning FAAN’s procedures with current international aviation practices.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, chairman of the FAAN board, described the review as a major step in repositioning Nigeria’s airport system.
The revised by-laws represent a milestone achievement that will significantly bolster airport governance and elevate operational efficiency across the nation’s airports, Ganduje said.
