Retired Aviation Leaders Unite to Guide Nigeria’s Airport Future and Advocate for Stronger Funding
A significant new chapter is unfolding in Nigeria’s aviation sector as the Former Airport Administrators Network (FAANET) officially launches, bringing together a wealth of expertise from retired professionals of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This newly registered body, recognised by the Corporate Affairs Commission, is poised to become a vital resource for the country’s airport system, leveraging decades of institutional memory to address both longstanding and emerging challenges.
At the helm of FAANET is Comrade Jolly Iyotoide Ndidi, a former General Manager of Human Resources at FAAN, who now serves as the pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He is joined by Comrade Adetomiwa Simeon Kolawole, former General Manager of Credit Control, acting as secretary, alongside a cadre of seasoned professionals whose backgrounds span engineering, operations, human resources, and airport rescue and firefighting services. This collective brings a unique blend of practical experience and strategic insight, positioning FAANET as a credible voice in the ongoing evolution of Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
Comrade Ndidi emphasised that the formation of FAANET is rooted in a desire to bridge the gap between past and present in airport administration. By offering experience-driven solutions, the network aims to support the current management and staff of FAAN in their efforts to modernise and enhance airport infrastructure and processes. Ndidi commended recent improvements but was clear that sustained progress hinges on increased government funding. He argued that with adequate support, FAAN could deliver world-class facilities and services across Nigeria’s airports, aligning with global standards and boosting the nation’s competitiveness in the aviation sector.
The call for greater investment echoes broader industry sentiment, as experts have long highlighted the need for robust funding to address infrastructure deficits, enhance safety, and support innovation in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Recent years have seen the government allocate substantial budgets to aviation, including upgrades to major airports and the establishment of new training institutions, yet challenges persist in ensuring these resources translate into tangible improvements.
FAANET’s launch also serves as an invitation to other retired airport administrators and aviation veterans to remain actively engaged in shaping the sector’s future. Ndidi described the network as a platform for giving back to a nation that invested in their professional growth, stressing that it would be a disservice to let valuable expertise fade away when it can still be harnessed to strengthen the system. The Board of Trustees expressed gratitude to senior veterans who supported the network’s registration and congratulated all former FAAN personnel on this milestone achievement.
With its formal debut, FAANET is ready to engage, advise, and contribute meaningfully to the continuous improvement of airport administration in Nigeria. The group’s emergence is timely, as the aviation sector faces mounting pressures from rapid technological change, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the imperative to deliver safe, efficient, and customer-focused services. For Africa’s tourism industry, the involvement of experienced hands in guiding airport development is a welcome development, promising greater stability and innovation in a sector that underpins the continent’s connectivity and economic growth.
As Nigeria’s aviation sector navigates the complexities of funding, infrastructure, and human capital development, the collaborative approach championed by FAANET could serve as a model for other African markets. By fostering dialogue between generations of professionals and advocating for the resources needed to modernise, the network is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of airport management—not just in Nigeria, but across the region.
