Stakeholders laud Kuku’s Appointment as Regional Advisor to the World Governing Board of the Airports Council International

• Kuku’s ACI appointment a source of pride for Nigeria-Aligbe

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku has been lauded by stakeholders in the Aviation industry following her appointment as Regional Advisor to the World Governing Board of the Airports Council International (ACI).

Kuku’s appointment was announced recently during the 33rd ACI Africa Regional Conference, which took place at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Under her leadership, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the Port Harcourt International Airport were recognised by ACI Africa for their safety performance from February to September 2024 for “engagement towards the practice of excellence in airport emergency management and resilience.”

Kuku led the Nigerian delegation in accepting the awards plaques for “Excellence in Airport Emergency Management and Resilience” presented by the ACI Africa Secretary General, Ali Tounsi, and the President of ACI Africa, Emmanuel Chaves.

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

In her words: “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,”

Commenting on the performance of the Authority and Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), at the event, Mr Chris Aligbe, CEO, Belujane Konzult, an aviation consultancy firm, affirmed that Mrs Kuku’s appointment portends well for the Nigerian aviation industry, noting that her deep understanding of the technicalities is a huge plus.

According to Aligbe, the appointment of Kuku 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 stakeholders in the industry.

Additionally, Aligbe said “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.”