The Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Vice President of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku has highlighted financial sustainability, intelligent infrastructure, operational resilience, human capital and partnerships as the five imperatives for the development of next-generation airports.
Mrs Kuku made this known at the 35th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 being hosted in Abuja, Nigeria by FAAN under the theme:“Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance: Driving Performance and Resilience”. The 7-day conference brings together Airports Council International (ACI) executives, CEOs and managing directors of African airports, innovators, technology providers and other industry stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges disrupting the future of African airports.
Speaking on the future of airport development, Mrs. Kuku stated that African airports must move beyond incremental improvements and plan towards the future of the airports by 2036.
On Financial sustainability, FAAN MD called on African airports to develop avenues for additional revenues beyond the aeronautical charges and become a commercial ecosystem through logistics parks, hospitality, retails, data-driven services and airport-city development.
The second is Intelligent infrastructure. Mrs. Kuku said: “We must invest not just in terminals, but in the systems that make airports work: predictive maintenance, reliable power, digital operational systems, and data analytics that inform decision-making. The less visible investments often deliver the greatest returns.”
Speaking on operational resilience, Mrs. Kuku noted that “Resilience is not an emergency plan-it’s an organisational capability. “Airports must inculcate redundancy, agility, intelligence, and communication discipline into their operations to have the capacity to respond quickly and effectively to disruptions.
On human capital, Mrs. Kuku reminded the gathering that “Infrastructure depreciates; technology becomes obsolete; but a competent, accountable, and continuously learning workforce multiplies every investment. We must build a culture of continuous learning and develop aviation professionals who can manage the increasingly complex airport ecosystem.”
Addressing Partnerships, FAAN MD explained that governments resources alone cannot handle the investments, innovations, technologies and expertise needed. The collaboration between governments, private investors, airlines, technology providers, logistics companies and development finance institutions is highly recommended.
Mrs. Kuku concluded by calling on “fellow airport leaders to embrace bold, strategic prioritisation”, noting that: “Not every desirable project can be funded at once. But the essential projects—the ones that protect safety, build capacity, generate revenue, and strengthen resilience—must not wait.”
The Honourable Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, Mr. Ali Tounsi, Airports CEOs, Government officials, Heads of Parastatals, Aviation professionals, Regulators, and other stakeholders at the 35th ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition in Abuja, Nigeria.