November 10, (THEWILL) — The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to remove illegal encroachers operating businesses illegally along the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) road in Lagos.
The Managing Director of the agency, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, gave the hint on Monday during a press briefing to sensitise the media on activities marking the 2025 FAAN Safety Week, which started from Monday, October 10, to Wednesday, October 12, 2025, in Lagos.
Kuku listed tanker drivers, limousine drivers, bus drivers and other categories of business owners as impediments to aviation safety along the road.
The FAAN boss emphasised that there is an urgent need for such business owners to move away from the spaces they are occupying, stressing that, if not done, the Authority will be left with no option but to embark on forceful action.
Explaining that FAAN is accommodating both friendly and unfriendly neighbours, the MD said, “We also have neighbours who are major encroachers, and I believe that is what we see on the airport road. There are lots of cars, vehicles there. I want to use this opportunity, given that we have the media here. We have reached out to various organisations, such as the tanker drivers, the association of limousine drivers, the parks and all the buses along the airport road, and we have continuously informed them via letters about the need to move away from these locations because it is unsafe.
“Secondly, it is hazardous to the environment. I think it really does not beautify our environment. Over the last few weeks, we have embarked on a potential sanitation exercise to try and understand who the inhabitants are and to give them further notice. We have also engaged the Lagos State Government, and we are working very closely with LASG and federal security agencies as well, to start to clear up that space. This is another way to appeal to all to move away from those locations because we will embark on forceful action”, she added.
Kuku noted that Abuja and Lagos airports are actually centred in locations where you have a high-dirt environment, a situation that poses safety risks.
According to her, such environmental degradation provides a poor environment for them and also increases the activities of wildlife, which can create potential bird strikes for the airlines.
She, however, assured that FAAN will continue to create public awareness across the neighbouring communities to see how they can maintain a safe and secure environment.
On the way forward for a holistic solution, Kuku proposed that “there should be a better understanding of awareness for both the legislators, regulators, operators and airlines. This can put us all on a level playing field where everyone understands the rules, regulations and the procedures, and we are able to manage affairs in an environment that makes sure we are safe and secure.”
Kuku, who also held an interactive session on the operations and practices of Safety Management Systems (SMS) with the Directors, said her deliberations were targeted at keeping her management team abreast of international best practices in aviation safety.
In her remarks on the FAAN Safety Week 2025 with the theme: “Navigating Conflicts for a Safer Aviation Industry in Nigeria”, Kuku assured that this year’s theme was carefully selected to reflect their ongoing commitment to safety, collaboration, and the professional well-being of everyone within Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
The FAAN boss affirmed that aviation safety does not depend solely on technology, stressing that human factors such as communication, trust, and teamwork play a crucial role.
The MD warned that a crisis-free environment is highly needed, pointing out that, where conflict arises, safety can be jeopardised.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
