The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has revealed that Nigeria recorded more than 18.8 million domestic and international air passengers in 2025, making it the fourth-largest aviation market in Africa.
Kuku disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering her welcome address at the Airports Council International Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, where she also spoke in her capacity as Vice President of Airports Council International Africa.
According to her, the passenger figure represented an 11.9 per cent year-on-year increase, reflecting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s aviation market and its growing position within the continent.
She said, “Our aviation market now ranks as the fourth-largest in Africa, with over 18.8m domestic and international passengers recorded in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.9 per cent.”
The conference, themed, “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” brought together aviation industry leaders, airport operators, regulators, financiers, technology providers and other stakeholders from Africa and beyond.
Kuku described the conference theme as more than a discussion point, saying it represented a strategic call for the continent’s aviation industry to improve performance and build resilience.
“This gathering of minds, this convergence of vision, could not have come at a more consequential moment for African aviation,” she said.
She also cited recent industry figures indicating continued growth in African aviation, noting that data from the International Air Transport Association showed a 6.4 per cent year on year increase in international passenger demand among African airlines in July 2026.
According to her, this contrasted with a 0.1 per cent decline in global international passenger demand during the same period.
She added that overall passenger demand in Africa grew by 5.2 per cent, making the continent the second-fastest-growing region after Latin America and the Caribbean.
“This is not a marginal improvement. This continent is on the move,” Kuku told delegates.
She said Nigeria was contributing significantly to the growth, citing increased scheduled airline capacity and renewed interest from international carriers operating in the country.
The FAAN boss disclosed that Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recorded the fastest growth in scheduled seat capacity among Africa’s 10 largest airports in September, with a 24.1 per cent increase.
Nigeria’s total scheduled airline capacity for September 2026 also stood at 1.19 million seats, representing a 37.4 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Kuku attributed the expansion to factors including currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and increased confidence among international airlines seeking to operate in the Nigerian market.
She said several airlines had resumed operations in Nigeria since the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development assumed office, adding that more carriers were expected to return.
“These figures are not abstract. They represent millions of Africans connecting with family, doing business, accessing healthcare, and exploring opportunities,” she said.
“They represent livelihoods. They represent economic growth. They represent the future we are building together.”
Despite the growth recorded, Kuku cautioned that the figures should not be interpreted as an indication that Africa’s aviation challenges had been fully resolved.
She noted that the continent still accounts for only about one per cent of global air traffic despite being home to approximately 18 per cent of the world’s population.
According to her, funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, high operating costs, inadequate connectivity and the challenge of maintaining affordable airport charges while providing modern facilities remained significant obstacles.
