Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
THE TOP10 MAGAZINE FEMALE PUBLIC OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
The appointment of Olubunmi Kuku as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) initially caused apprehension in some aviation quarters. Some stakeholders didn’t know what to expect from her, largely on account of being the first woman to take up the reins at the helm of an organization historically dominated by men. But in less than a year of her assumption of office, any misgivings about Kuku’s capacity to deliver on her mandate and expectations have been melted away by her sterlar performance. She has seen to remarkable improvements of infrastructure at some of the nation’s federal airports and massive training of the personnel within just about 11 months of becoming FAAN’s Managing Director.
The impetus the new boss needed for the renewal and rehabilitation of the country’s major airports was provided by her desire to, as quickly as possible, get the international airports prepared for International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) certification. Created in 1944 by the Chicago Convention, ICAO is the body that promotes the safe and orderly development of civil aviation around the world. It sets standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity as well as for aviation environmental protection.
While Abuja and Enugu airports have been certified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano airports are getting ready for certification, which NCAA approves in accordance with ICAO regulation. The recertification of the two airports which had lagged for more than four years, has put Nigeria back on the global aviation map. The FAAN boss is working to provide critical facilities and manpower development in technical areas to meet the regulatory conditions of ICAO for the recertification of Nigeria’s remaining international airports. She is also looking at the upgrade of the status of the airports to higher category. This requires putting in place certain infrastructure that is necessary for that categorization and qualification.
Earlier, within one week in office, the new Managing Director signed the ICAO safety protocol which was followed by the training of about 1400 staff for 2000-man hours in the areas of safety for both staff and stakeholders.
These are no mean feats considering that the Managing Director sits over all the 27 federal airports in Nigeria whose funding comes from barely two or three airports. Aviation experts say it requires a lot of multi-tasking to be able to put that together and run such a massive system that is driven by over 10,000 staff of the authority.
Kuku’s outstanding performance in such a short time has been acknowledged by aviation industry followers. Yakubu Dati, former Commissioner for Information, Plateau State, and erstwhile General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, has for instance, commended Kuku. He pointed out that the first woman to head the agency has shown unusual competence and inimitable efficiency. Dati said: “I must say that for the first time we are having a lady as the managing director and chief executive. So, within such a short time, in fact just barely 11 months, she has been able to get this in the kitty, the recertification of two airports which was not done for more than four years ago, thus putting Nigeria on the global aviation map.” FAAN received two awards at the Airport Council International (ACI) conference in South Africa in the last quarter of 2024. And by that recognition Kuku was also made a board chairman of Africa region of the Airport Council International. “So, all these are achievements within such a short time for somebody who is coming into a male-dominated industry, Dati said. He added that her training in finance, and also not being a novice in the aviation sector, had assisted so much because she came with a focus, with a direction. According to him, Kuku’s achievements had confirmed the fact that women can sometimes do it better and tasked Nigeria to take the affirmative action more seriously.
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku has had a remarkable career that spans over two decades. Her academic foundation is as impressive as her professional journey. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the prestigious University of Illinois in 2000 and proceeded to obtain an MBA in International Finance & Strategic Management from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business in 2004. These academic achievements laid the groundwork for a career marked by strategic insight and innovative thinking.
Kuku honed her skills in various high-impact roles. Her tenure as Vice President and Head of Visa Consulting & Analytics for Sub-Saharan Africa at Visa saw her drive significant growth and development in the region. She also brought her expertise to Ernst & Young (EY) as a Partner in Business Consulting, showcasing her ability to navigate and transform complex business environments. She also had a stint as a General Manager at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) where she was in charge of Business Development & Investment.
She has played a pivotal role in driving transformative growth, notably in her advisory capacity for Strategy & Infrastructure Development at NAMA. Her hands-on involvement with a Minister of Aviation and as General Manager for Business Development at NAMA underscored her deep commitment to the aviation sector.
Kuku collaborated and engaged with prestigious development and multilateral agencies including the World Bank, African Development Bank (AFDB), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These collaborations highlight her ability to work at the intersection of international development and strategic economic planning.
The FAAN MD’s professional affiliations and certifications further underscore her commitment to excellence. Her participation in the Executive Leadership Program, IGNITE, at INSEAD Business School/Visa in 2023, her status as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Business Development since 2014, her membership in the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria since 2016, and her Executive Education at Harvard Business School in 2004, all speak volumes of her continuous pursuit of professional development and excellence.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, Kuku’s ascent to the top echelons of FAAN was not just a career milestone but also a significant moment in Nigerian aviation history.
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku is being honoured by the Top10 Magazine as the Female Public Official of the Year 2024 for her outstanding achievements recorded within the short period of her appointment as the Managing Director of FAAN.
