The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has dismissed reports suggesting that airports under the Authority’s management operate without insurance coverage.
Kuku clarified that all federal government-owned airports managed by FAAN are fully insured, with records and documentation up to date. She stressed that contrary to speculations, the Authority consistently meets its obligations in line with regulatory requirements.
Her statement came in response to concerns raised by Captain Edward Boyo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, during a panel discussion on aviation insurance at the CHINET AviaCargo Conference, held in Lagos as part of the Akwaaba African Travel Market.
Boyo had argued that infrastructural deficiencies at several airports were major contributors to accidents and damages, claiming that airports were not adequately covered by insurance policies. According to him, “a lot of jet aircraft are destroyed by airports’ inefficiencies and infrastructure. Many of the accidents that happen at the airports are the direct responsibility of the airports.”
He pointed to shortcomings such as weak wildlife control, inadequate de-rubberisation, and poor runway maintenance, warning that while airlines, passengers, and cargo were properly insured, airports remained neglected. He urged the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to enforce compliance, comparing the current situation to “driving a car with insurance while others drive without one.”
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Responding, Kuku reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to safety and accountability. “All FGN airports managed by FAAN are insured with the insurance up to date. De-rubberisation and runway hygiene have been intact, with records available,” she said.
She acknowledged persistent challenges such as community activities around airports that contribute to bird strikes and wildlife hazards. However, she explained that FAAN has been working with stakeholders to mitigate these risks. She further noted that certain runways, particularly those that have exceeded their lifespan, were undergoing phased rehabilitation and maintenance to address long-standing engineering concerns.
The exchange has reignited debate within the aviation sector over infrastructure resilience, insurance coverage, and regulatory oversight, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for improved risk management at Nigeria’s airports.
