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FAAN Unveils Integrated ISO Policy to Elevate Safety, Quality, and Green Standards at Nigerian Airpo FAAN Unveils Integrated ISO Policy to Elevate Safety, Quality, and Green Standards at Nigerian Airpo

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken a decisive step toward modernizing the nation’s aviation landscape with the official launch of its Integrated ISO Policy. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to raise the bar for service quality, operational safety, and environmental sustainability at Nigeria’s airports—setting new benchmarks for efficiency and accountability in the region’s airport management.

At the heart of this policy is the unification of two globally recognized standards: ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management and ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management. By merging these frameworks into a single operational system, FAAN aims to institutionalize best practices across its airport network, ensuring that every process is not only efficient but also environmentally responsible and internationally compliant.

According to Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN’s Managing Director—represented at the policy launch by the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Luqman Emiola—the new integrated system is underpinned by a core principle: “if it is not documented, it is not done.” This philosophy places emphasis on rigorous documentation and traceability, which are essential for maintaining quality assurance and accountability in all airport operations.

With this integrated ISO system, FAAN expects to significantly enhance the scope and depth of its internal audits, while aligning daily airport activities with global benchmarks for safety, quality, and environmental protection. The approach facilitates a culture of continuous improvement, where every department is encouraged to identify inefficiencies, document corrective actions, and proactively contribute to the Authority’s overarching sustainability goals.

Progress toward full certification is already well underway. FAAN management reports that about 70 percent of the certification process has been completed, with external auditors scheduled to evaluate compliance in November. The Authority is targeting full ISO certification by December 2025, a milestone that will place Nigerian airports among the elite group of facilities worldwide with such international endorsements.

The Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, highlighted that this new policy reinforces FAAN’s unwavering focus on customer satisfaction and environmental stewardship. By embedding environmental responsibility into its core processes, FAAN is not only responding to rising global concerns about airport emissions and resource use but is also positioning itself as a leader in the African aviation sector’s drive for sustainability.

Mr. Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, applauded the initiative and pledged ongoing support for its successful implementation. His commitment underscores a collective resolve within FAAN to ensure that the policy is not merely a regulatory checkbox but a transformative force shaping every facet of airport management, from passenger handling to waste reduction and community engagement.

For Africa’s travel and aviation professionals, FAAN’s integrated ISO policy is a signal that the future of airport operations on the continent will be defined by international standards, transparency, and environmental consciousness. As airports become more critical to tourism growth, business travel, and regional trade, such certifications will serve as a competitive differentiator—assuring partners, airlines, and travelers of Nigeria’s commitment to safe, secure, and sustainable air transport.

FAAN’s leadership in this domain offers a model for other airport authorities across Sub-Saharan Africa. As the sector prepares for increasing passenger volumes and heightened scrutiny from global partners, the adoption of integrated management systems and international certifications will be key to enhancing operational resilience and unlocking new business opportunities.

With the countdown to full certification underway, Nigerian airports are poised to enter a new era—one where world-class quality, safety, and environmental performance are not aspirational goals, but everyday realities. As FAAN reaffirms its pledge to manage Nigeria’s airports in accordance with international best practices, the entire African travel sector stands to benefit from the broader ripple effects of enhanced standards, reputation, and customer confidence.