The federal government has decided to relocate the Federal Airport Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN) from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja to Lagos.
The circular, dated January 15, 2024, issued by Olubunmi Kuku, the managing director, and chief executive officer of FAAN, unveiled this strategic move.
The directive for this relocation came from Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, as revealed by Kuku. The minister has instructed the immediate communication of the implications of this shift to the management.
According to the official letter, it states:
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has directed the Headquarters of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should be relocated from Abuja to Lagos. As a consequence of the above, you are requested to provide the implications of the relocation to management.”
Key Points to Note
Established in 1976 as Airports Authority of Nigeria, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) underwent significant changes during the Civil Aviation reform 1995. This reform led to the realignment of functionalities and the renaming of NAA to FAAN.
The Authority oversees the operation and maintenance of all Federal Airports. Notably, the Authority’s headquarters had its origins in Lagos. However, in 2020, President Muhammad Buhari relocated it to Abuja. In a strategic move, the current decision reverses this shift, emphasizing the dynamic nature of FAAN’s operations for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.
This strategic relocation aims to optimize the operational landscape, aligning with FAAN’s responsibilities in a manner that underscores the Authority’s commitment to efficient air travel services. The decision reflects a nuanced understanding of the organization’s historical context and a proactive stance toward improving overall functionality.