To flush out illegal businesses from Nigeria’s airports

Agency Report

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, on Monday outlined fresh steps to bring orderliness to airports environments across the country stating that her administration will no longer tolerate illegal activities and businesses.

She spoke at ‘FAAN 2025 Directorate of Commercial and Business Development Stakeholders Engagement Forum’ held in Lagos where she disclosed that among the new measures to ensure sanity and accountability include the introduction of cashless and contactless system with the use of payment links, cards and various forms of digital platforms at airports toll gates.

Mrs. Kuku ordered the immediate removal of petroleum tankers illegally parked within the precinct of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, announced the ban on unauthorized operations of Bureau de change and limousines businesses across airports.

The FAAN MD declared that such petroleum has constituted security threats to the airports environment just as she warned concessionaires offering car hire services and bureau de change owners that any affiliation to unauthorized activities will draw punishment.

According to Kuku, a pilot phase of the digital payment initiative will be carried out at the Lagos and Abuja airports as part of measures to automate and digitise the agency’s payment systems.

She said her administration is laying a solid foundation to ensure and enhance transparency, accountability, and revenue tracking in all its business activities and operations.

On land speculation at Nigeria airports, the FAAN helmsman disclosed that FAAN has updated its land allocation and usage database with the use of the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

Also, Kuku said FAAN will soon upgrade airports security architecture that required passengers to provide their National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), biometric data, and a valid ID during check-in both at local and international terminals.

“I see all of the tankers and all of those limousines parked and operating illegally. We’re going to be taking very graphic actions. A lot of those tankers do not belong to those who operate in our environment. We have tank farms and we know owners of such farms have their parks. They just have to go. There is a security risk outside of that, and I believe the scene is obnoxious for an airport environment.”