From vision to reality: CIAPS lauds FAAN MD on airport modernization drive

Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has been awarded the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) 2025 Excellence Award for her exemplary leadership and transformation of the Nigerian airport landscape since her assumption of office two years ago.

The organisation, at its end-of-the-Year Public Lecture, Awards Ceremony & Cocktail said the honour reflects Kuku’s consistent commitment to excellence, her strategic contributions to national development, and her unwavering dedication to raising standards within the aviation industry.

According to CIAPS, the 2025 edition of the Excellence Awards focuses on celebrating individuals whose influence transcends their immediate roles and contributes meaningfully to broader societal advancement.

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It added that Kuku’s selection follows a rigorous assessment process involving performance reviews, sectoral nominations, and independent verification.

It affirmed that over the years, the FAAN MD has earned a reputation as a results-driven professional whose work ethic, vision, and integrity continue to inspire colleagues and stakeholders alike.

CIAPS described Kuku as an exemplary professional whose contributions reflect the values of merit, commitment, and transformative leadership that the institution stands for.

The award, which recognises exceptional leadership, professionalism, and transformative contributions to national development, affirms Mrs. Kuku’s remarkable impact since assuming office as FAAN’s helmsman.

Under her stewardship, FAAN has witnessed renewed operational efficiency, improved stakeholder engagement, and the accelerated implementation of reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s airports and strengthening the nation’s aviation infrastructure, it said further.

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The organisation further described Kuku as “a dynamic, forward-thinking administrator whose results-driven leadership continues to set new benchmarks in the aviation sector, hence this prestigious 2025 Excellence Award, a recognition reserved for outstanding professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in their respective fields.”

The FAAN MD, who was represented at the occasion by the General Manager, Administration, Mrs. Oluwasola Awe expressed appreciation for the honour, noting that the recognition serves as further motivation to deepen her contributions and uphold the standards of professionalism for the aviation sector.

She said the CIAPS honour reflects the collective effort of FAAN’s dedicated workforce, affirming her commitment to sustaining reforms, deepening service quality, and positioning Nigeria’s airports among the best in Africa.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers.

She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay.

She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos.

As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender.

She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies.

Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category.

She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category.

She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations.

Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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