BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Excitement currently pervades the aviation community in Nigeria, just as airport users’ expectations of improved services have soared following the successful recertification of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Already, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has formally received the Aerodrome recertification papers
from the acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt Chris Najomo.
The NCAA, on Friday, announced that the two airports have met the set criteria for recertification, thus marking a major milestone in the aviation sector under the leadership of Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus keyamo.
Upon handing over the certificates to FAAN, Najomo DG thanked Kuku for her visionary leadership.
He lauded her for painstakingly closing the safety gaps hitherto identified, while praising her for providing the quality workforce to achieve this in less than one year of her stewardship.
The Director-General hailed the achievement as a pivotal moment, marking a step forward in the evolution of Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
He expressed confidence that the lessons learned from this success would pave the way for a more seamless process in bridging gaps and achieving certifications for other airports.
He further emphasized that this progress would contribute significantly to enhancing Nigeria’s global standing in aviation safety, operational excellence, and compliance with international standards.
The Aerodrome Certificates for two of Nigeria’s international airports, which had expired in 2020, were extended due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the journey has culminated in the successful recertification of both airports, a remarkable achievement for the nation’s aviation sector.
During the ceremony at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), expressed her heartfelt gratitude and pride in the milestone.
She praised the relentless dedication of her workforce, the commitment of airport managers, and the strong support and collaboration of the NCAA team, all of which were instrumental in achieving this success.
Mrs. Kuku, reflecting on the accomplishment, described it as a moment of immense pride and profound humility.
She assured stakeholders of her commitment to extending this achievement to other international airports, with plans to commence their certification early next year.
Her vision underscores a continued drive for excellence, aligning Nigeria’s airports with international safety and operational standards.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, epitomised the power of teamwork, resilience and a shared commitment to raising the standards of Nigeria’s aviation industry to new heights.
