Nigeria recorded more than 18.8 million domestic and international air passengers in 2025, making the country the fourth-largest aviation market in Africa, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has disclosed.
Kuku disclosed the figure on Tuesday while delivering her welcome address at the ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Abuja. She spoke in her capacity as Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa.
According to her, the passenger figure represents an 11.9 per cent year-on-year increase, which she described as evidence of Nigeria’s growing role in Africa’s aviation market.
The development comes amid ongoing reforms and policy measures by the Federal Government aimed at opening up Nigeria’s aviation sector to greater competition and investment.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the policies of the Bola Tinubu administration had actively opened the industry to competition, which he said was beneficial to both the economy and air travellers.
Keyamo said Nigeria’s aviation industry had become a significant contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that local operators, foreign investors and major global industry players were becoming increasingly comfortable investing in the sector.
He also said the government’s aviation reforms had helped improve customer confidence and enhanced Nigeria’s international recognition within the global aviation industry.
Meanwhile, Kuku highlighted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s progress in quality management and professional development.
She disclosed that FAAN obtained ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications in January 2026, describing the certifications as evidence of the agency’s commitment to quality management, environmental responsibility and continuous improvement.
The FAAN chief also revealed that more than 3,500 personnel of the agency had been trained and certified through programmes organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI).
She said the training and certifications were part of efforts to strengthen professional capacity and improve service delivery across Nigeria’s airports.
The developments, according to the aviation authorities, reflect the sector’s ongoing expansion and the government’s efforts to position Nigeria as a stronger player in the African and global aviation industry.
Nigeria records Africa’s fastest aviation capacity growth among top 10 markets! Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo congratulates FAAN on dedication and hard work.
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