FAAN Relocates Headquarters to Lagos in the Best Interest of the Aviation Sector

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, has issued a directive for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to relocate its corporate headquarters from Abuja to its original base in Lagos with immediate effect. This decision comes after careful deliberation and consultations with stakeholders, including the Unions, and is aimed at serving the best interest of FAAN and the aviation sector.

In response to inquiries from Nigerians about the reasoning behind this directive, the Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Director, Mrs. Obiageli Oprah, stated that the decision to move the headquarters back to Lagos was made based on several factors. One of the main reasons is the lack of office space for FAAN employees in Abuja, resulting in the need to pay Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) to those who were stationed there. By relocating to Lagos, the Authority can avoid wasting public resources and reduce the burden on the public purse.

Moreover, the move back to Lagos is justified by the fact that more than sixty percent of FAAN’s activities, driven by the high passenger volume at the Lagos airports, take place in Lagos. It would have been impractical to rent an office space in Abuja and leave the existing FAAN building in Lagos vacant. In light of this, the stakeholders and the Minister mutually agreed that the best course of action would be to utilize the old FAAN building in Lagos to accommodate all the directors and senior officials. This solution allows the continued full operational presence in Abuja without disrupting the ongoing activities.

While the decision to move the corporate headquarters to Lagos is not seen as a permanent arrangement, the Minister has undertaken plans to facilitate the construction of suitable corporate offices in both Lagos and Abuja through concessionaires. Once these new offices have been established, a final decision will be made regarding the long-term location of the FAAN headquarters, based on the prevailing circumstances at that time.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria assures the public that their interests and the country’s interests will continue to be prioritized. The Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, is committed to making decisions that safeguard public funds and will not be swayed by ethnic or sectional sentiments that may hinder this commitment.