FAAN Unveils 2025 By-Laws, Overhauls Regulatory Framework After 21 Years

In a major move to align airport operations with modern global standards, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially unveiled its 2025 Bye-Laws—marking the first comprehensive review of the Authority’s regulatory framework in 21 years.

The FAAN Bye-Laws—under steady reinforcement and heightened public enforcement through 2025 and 2026—form the regulatory toolkit for managing order, safety, access, and commerce across all federal airport premises nationwide.

While rooted in the Civil Aviation Act 2022 and international standards (such as ICAO Annex 17), the heightened focus on the FAAN Bye-Laws specifically addresses terminal discipline, land-use regularisation, and operational modernisations.

The FAAN Bye-Laws primarily focus on zero tolerance for unruly and disruptive Passenger Behaviour, physical or verbal abuse directed at airline staff, crew, or security personnel, refusal to comply with safety instructions, unauthorised entry into airside/restricted zones, and general terminal disruption.

It establishes clear legal mechanisms to arrest offenders via Aviation Security (AVSEC), hand them over to the Nigerian Police Force for prosecution, levy fines (up to ₦1,000,000 under aligned provisions), impose jail terms, or place severe repeat offenders on a national no-fly list.

Unveiling the new regulations, the Chairman of the FAAN Board, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, commended the management for updating the legal framework to match current aviation realities.

He described the revised document as a milestone achievement that will significantly bolster airport governance and elevate operational efficiency across the nation’s airports.

Highlighting the necessity of the update, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, noted that the previous by-laws—last reviewed in 2005—had become obsolete and ill-equipped to address the complexities of today’s aviation landscape.

She explained that the 2025 By-Laws were crafted to reflect modern operational realities, ensuring FAAN remains agile, responsive to emerging challenges, and aligned with global best practices.

“The revised by-laws will serve as a comprehensive operational guide for FAAN staff, airport users, stakeholders, and relevant partners,” Kuku stated, emphasising that the new rules will drive safer, more secure, and commercially viable operations across Nigeria’s airport network.

She further reaffirmed that the framework reinforces FAAN’s dedication to regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and enhanced service delivery across the sector.

Wole Shadare