Governors woo investors at 3rd edition of FAAN Conference

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and his counterparts from Borno, Imo and Ogun, on Monday, called for investment, competitiveness and global-standard reforms at the third edition of the FAAN National Aviation Conference (FNAC).

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) put together the conference for stakeholders in aviation to find lasting solutions to challenges in the sector and chart a course that will further elevate the sector.

Sanwo-Olu, who was chief host, said that the aviation sector must transition from conversations to coordinated execution, adding that Nigeria’s competitiveness would depend on accessibility, connectivity and infrastructure readiness.

“It is about connectivity, convenience, competitiveness.

“It is about whether investors can reach our markets easily, whether cargo moves effectively, and whether tourism can truly flourish,” he said.

He described Lagos as living the aviation reality everyday as the host to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which he called Nigeria’s premier international gateway and one of the busiest in Africa, serving millions of passengers annually.

According to him, the same success that makes Lagos a regional hub also exposes it to congestion and pressure on terminals, urging resilience and preparation for an aviation era shaped by larger aircraft, e-commerce logistics and stricter environmental standards.

“Lagos is building an integrated multi-modal transport backbone linking rail, road, water and air systems to support more than 20 million residents and millions of business visitors,” he said.

He highlighted the state’s Blue Line Rail, which had transported over eight million passengers, and the inaugurated Red Line Rail from Agbado to the National Theatre, as well as a new 68km Green Line linking Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the state to delivering the proposed Lekki-Epe International Airport, which has received full federal approval under a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“This airport is not a vanity project. It is designed as a Code-F compliant facility that can land the A380, sitting on 3,500 hectares and targeting five million passengers annually with modular expansion,” he said.

He said the airport would serve the growing Lekki industrial corridor, including the Dangote Refinery, the Deep Sea Port and the Free Trade Zone, adding that Lagos is open to collaboration with airlines, financiers and private sector players.

“We invite investors to work with us on the Lekki International Airport, on our rail projects, on the larger logistics corridor. Lagos remains fully open for business,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu thanked President Bola Tinubu for the ongoing renovation at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, and urged stakeholders to view airports as national economic gateways.

Our correspondents reports that Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the internationally-renowned Summa Group to develop and construct the Lekki-Epe International Airport which is one of the state’s flagship (PPP) projects.

He said that when operational, the Lekki-Epe International Airport would decongest the existing Muritala Muhammed International Airport, unlock new opportunities for businesses to strive and be of immense benefit to the residents of Lagos State in other areas.

Similarly, Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno told the stakeholders that the soon-to-be inaugurated Maiduguri International Airport would transform the North-East’s economic outlook and strengthen cross-border commerce.

He said that Borno shared borders with five countries Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Sudan, making the state a strategic regional hub for logistics, trade and aviation-supported development.

“We woo investors to collaborate with Borno. With the new airport and our unique borders, we will strengthen economic ties with our neighbours and reposition the North-East for growth,” Zulum said.

Imo Gov. Hope Uzodinma, said the FAAN conference had become an important platform to showcase partnerships and strengthen national synergy in the aviation sector.

He commended FAAN for showing that it had been alive to its responsibilities by gathering subnational leaders, industry experts and private-sector partners.

“As we seek investments, our aviation industry must meet global best practices.

“FAAN and its partners must strike the right balance between profitability, safety and efficiency,” Uzodinma said.

He said aviation remained central to Imo’s economic strategy.

“For us in Imo, aviation is crucial for integrating our state into global value chains. Expanding night-flight operations and building robust partnerships are part of our ambition,” he said.

Uzodinma added that aviation competitiveness was ultimately about connectivity, convenience and the ease with which investors could reach markets.

Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the event.

He said that the conference came at a good time.

“With Ogun Gateway Airport about to start commercial flight operations, I want to applaud FAAN for putting this together.

” Ogun State is ready for investor partnership to further boost its economy and that of other states,” she said.