On Thursday, the Federal Government issued an order for the relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos State. The directive, revealed in a memo dated January 15, 2024, and attributed to the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, stated that the move was in compliance with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo’s instructions. The decision, as outlined in the memo, followed extensive consultations with industry stakeholders.
Here are key details regarding the relocation of FAAN Headquarters back to Lagos state:
- Firstly, it’s noteworthy that FAAN Headquarters was originally situated in Lagos from its establishment until its transfer to Abuja in 2020.
2. Maintaining operations in Abuja required paying Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) to staff, as they were technically considered to be working outside their official station. This was deemed inefficient in terms of public funds and strained the organization’s limited resources.
3. Given that over 60% of FAAN’s activities are concentrated in Lagos, designating the city as the headquarters aligns with practical considerations.
4. Despite the shift in the headquarters back to Lagos, FAAN will continue to uphold its full operational presence in Abuja, ensuring that activities are not scaled down.
5. Until new offices are constructed in Abuja, FAAN will continue to utilize its existing building in Lagos.
6. The initial relocation from Lagos to Abuja was considered ill-advised primarily because of the insufficient availability of FAAN facilities in the capital.
