FAAN seeks replacement of national facilitation programme, to evict squatters

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the need to release or upgrade the national facilitation programme.

There are indications that the current Nigerian National Facilitation Programme (NNFP) is obsolete and may not meet the dynamics of airport security facilitation coordination.

The Nigerian National Facilitation Programme (NNFP) is a programme designed to streamline and improve the efficiency of international air transport by harmonising border-crossing formalities for aircraft, crew, passengers, and cargo. It aims to create a safe, reliable and viable air transport industry by ensuring compliance with international and national regulations.

This is achieved by coordinating various government agencies and private sector stakeholders through the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFC).

Speaking at the flag-off of Aviation Safety Week in Lagos, she said, the programme is actually domesticated at the airport by the airport managers, stressing that there is also coordination that happens with the Joint Intelligence Board, which is led by the National Security Adviser (NSA).

 She stated that FAAN has continued to increase its training and awareness programme and is equally extending it to not just the security agencies that operate under the FAAN but all of the security within the airport environment.

She said, “I know that they all have their own individual protocol, but wherever we extend it within our environment, we think that it is important that we have our team as well. We are also now extending it to not just the security agencies that operate under the FAAN, but all of the security within the airport environment. I know that they all have their own individual protocol, but wherever we extend it within our environment, we think that it is important that we have our team as well”.

Kuku disclosed that FAAN had given truck owners, illegal inhabitants who block the access roads and others carrying out nefarious activities along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road an ultimatum to vacate the area.

“I think it really does not beautify our environment. Over the last few weeks, we have embarked on a sanitation exercise to try and understand who those inhabitants are and to give them further notice. We have also engaged the Lagos State government, and we are working closely with the Lagos State government and the Federal security agencies to start clearing that area. This is another way to appeal to all of those inhabitants to remove themselves from those locations because we will embark on forceful action.”

“We also have neighbours who are major encroachers, and I believe these are the ones we see on the airport roads approaching the airport. They are lot of cars, vehicles and I want to use this opportunity; we have reached out to tanker drivers association, the Limousine parks and all the buses on the airport road and we have continuously informed them that they have to move away from those locations because they pose danger to the area because of them, the area is unsafe and hardardous to the environment”.

She noted that aviation safety does not depend solely on technology, stressing that human factors such as communication, trust, and teamwork play a crucial role.

Where conflict arises, Kuku said safety can be jeopardised.

“That is why this year, we have chosen to focus not just on compliance but on raising awareness about the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence, conflict management skills, and a culture of respect across all levels of the industry. This is vital if we are to uphold the safety of passengers, stakeholders, and staff”.

Through this year’s Safety Week initiative, she noted that they aim to enhance how aviation professionals manage disagreements, stress, and diverse opinions—especially in high-stakes environments where clear communication can make all the difference.

“We acknowledge some of the unfortunate incidents that have occurred at our terminals recently. By equipping our workforce with the necessary tools to de-escalate tensions and foster understanding, we are actively building a safer and more resilient industry.”

“We can all agree that this effort aligns with global best practices and FAAN’s vision of excellence and accountability—to be among the world’s leading airport groups. This will be achieved by providing safe, secure, and efficient airport facilities and services, transforming our airports into dynamic, customer-centred hubs that showcase Nigerian culture, leveraging technology, and fostering partnerships to enhance infrastructure and operational excellence,” she added.

Wole Shadare