The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Tuesday said that the country’s aviation industry recorded strong growth in 2025, with passenger traffic climbing to 18.8 million domestic and international travellers, an 11.9 percent year-on-year increase.
FAAN, noted that the growth underlines Nigeria’s expanding aviation potential, and that the country is now the fourth-largest aviation market in Africa.
The Managing Director of FAAN and Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku gave the hint at the opening of the ACI Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Abu
Kuku said Nigeria’s scheduled airline capacity reached 1.19 million seats in September 2026, representing a 37.4 per cent increase over September 2025, making it the fastest growth rate among Africa’s top 10 aviation markets.
She attributed the surge to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and renewed confidence among international airlines operating in Nigeria.
According to her, Several airlines have resumed operations in Nigeria since the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development assumed office, with more expected to return.
Kuku added that Lagos remained the growth driver, noting that scheduled seat capacity at Murtala Muhammed International Airport rose by 24.1 per cent in September, the fastest growth among Africa’s 10 largest airports.
Citing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), she noted that African airlines recorded a 6.4 per cent year-on-year increase in international passenger demand in July 2026, compared to a 0.1 percent decline in global international demand.
“Overall, Africa’s passenger demand grew by 5.2 percent, making it the second fastest-growing region after Latin America and the Caribbean, and well above the global average of 0.2 percent,” Kuku added.
Despite the positive trend, she warned that Africa’s aviation gap remained wide, asserting that, “Africa accounts for just 1 percent of global air traffic despite having 18 percent of the world’s population.”
She stressed that load factors are still below global averages and the financial viability of African airlines remains fragile.
Kuku emphasised that with over 220 million people and about 19.5 million annual passengers across 28 airports, Nigeria still has significant untapped potential.”
The FAAN boss, speaking further, listed funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, high operating costs, fragmented connectivity, and pressure to keep charges low while delivering world-class facilities as major challenges facing African airports — issues that the conference, themed; ” Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” seeks to address.
Kuku outlined FAAN’s transformation agenda from 2023, focused on safety, infrastructure modernisation and capacity expansion.
She said achievements include the rehabilitation of a major runway at MMIA, terminal upgrades, improved airfield lighting, and the establishment of a Passenger Experience Hub to enhance speed, comfort and assistance.