Nigeria emerges Africa’s fourth-largest aviation market

Nigeria now fourth largest aviation market in Africa, says FAAN boss
Nigeria has become the fourth largest aviation market in Africa, with more than 18.8 million domestic and international passengers recorded in 2025, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Onabanjo Kuku, has said.

Onabanjo Kuku disclosed this while delivering her welcome address at the Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Abuja.

The conference has the theme, “Next Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience.”

The FAAN boss, who is also Vice President of ACI Africa, said the theme was a call for African airports to improve their services, strengthen their operations and prepare for future challenges.

She said the 18.8 million passengers recorded in Nigeria in 2025 represented an 11.9 per cent increase from the previous year.

According to her, recent figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also showed strong growth in African aviation.

She said international passenger demand among African airlines increased by 6.4 per cent year on year in July 2026, while global international demand dropped by 0.1 per cent during the same period.

Onabanjo Kuku said overall passenger demand in Africa increased by 5.2 per cent, making the continent one of the fastest growing aviation regions in the world.

She also disclosed that scheduled airline capacity in Nigeria reached 1.19 million seats in September 2026, representing a 37.4 per cent increase from the same period in 2025.

She said the growth was linked to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and increased confidence among international airlines.

The FAAN managing director added that several airlines had resumed operations in Nigeria since the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development assumed office, with more expected to return.

She, however, warned that the growth of the aviation sector was not enough, saying Africa still faced major challenges.
According to her, Africa accounts for only one per cent of global air traffic despite having about 18 per cent of the world’s population.

She identified funding shortages, inadequate infrastructure, high operating costs, poor connectivity and pressure to keep charges low while providing quality facilities as some of the major challenges facing the sector.
Onabanjo Kuku said FAAN had been implementing reforms since 2023 to improve airport infrastructure and passenger experience.

She said the authority had rehabilitated a major runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, upgraded terminals and improved airfield lighting while keeping airport operations running.

She also highlighted the establishment of the Passenger Experience Hub, which is aimed at improving speed, comfort, predictability and assistance for passengers.

On digital transformation, she said FAAN was introducing fast check in systems, automated e passport gates, improved security systems and passenger data analytics.

She added that FAAN obtained ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications in January 2026 as part of efforts to improve quality management and environmental responsibility.

According to her, more than 3,500 FAAN personnel have also received training and certification through programmes organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and ACI.

She said FAAN was also working to strengthen Nigeria’s cargo and logistics sector by repositioning airports as platforms for regional and international trade.

Onabanjo Kuku identified five areas that would shape the future of African airports.

They include increasing revenue from non aviation activities, investing in modern infrastructure and technology, improving operational resilience, developing skilled aviation workers and building stronger partnerships with private investors, airlines, technology companies and financial institutions.
She also called on African governments to provide stable and long term policies for airport investment.

She said development partners and financial institutions should see African airports as important economic infrastructure that deserved sustained investment.

Onabanjo Kuku said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) could help improve connectivity across the continent.

She said Africa’s young and growing population also offered a major opportunity for the aviation industry.
“The decade ahead belongs to Africa,” she said, adding that the continent’s aviation sector had continued to adapt and grow despite economic crises, health emergencies, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges.

She urged aviation stakeholders to use the Abuja conference to share ideas, strengthen partnerships and develop a clear plan for the next generation of African airports.