By Dickson Omobola

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said yesterday N580 billion was needed to fix the runways of airports across the country.

Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, explained that most of FAAN’s facilities, including terminals and runways, were declining and affecting operational efficiency and safety.

She also disclosed that N128.7 billion was remitted into the federation account in 2024, adding that the reduction in revenue leakages in the outgone year resulted in about 93 per cent increase in net inflows.
She spoke during a tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, facilities by the new permanent secretary of the ministry of aviation and aerospace development, Dr Ibrahim Kana.

Her words: “N580 billion is required to fix runways across all airports, their life span is between 20 to 25 years, but most of the airports were built in 1978.

“Many of FAAN’s facilities, including terminals and runways, are aging and in need of significant repairs and upgrades. This affects operational efficiency and safety, and necessitates substantial investment for modernisation. Also, despite efforts to enhance security at airports, FAAN continues to face challenges in managing security risks, particularly with the increase in air travel and the potential for terrorist activities or other threats at key airport locations. Due to lack of perimeter fence, the authority landmass is constantly being encroached on all over the country.

“Obsolete equipment such as old fire tenders, generators, air conditioning systems conveyor lines with worn-out slats, belts and motors, can be found in many airports that have low efficiency and have high maintenance cost.

“FAAN plans to modernise airport infrastructure by renovating terminals, expanding runways, and upgrading navigational aids. In 2025, the construction of a new and befitting headquarters for FAAN will also be a top priority, providing a centralized and modern facility to enhance operational efficiency. Priority will be given to improving critical facilities at major international airports and enhancing regional airport capacity to meet growing passenger and cargo demands.

“We need to be deliberate about it. So many haphazard jobs and abandoned projects at the airports.
The runways require major rehabilitation.”