The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to host the 35th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1This is the focus of FAAN IN FOCUS, the television programme of FAAN, produced by HS Studios, Episode 14, titled “ACI Africa Special: Connecting Nigeria to Africa and the World,” looks beyond the conference itself to examine what the gathering means for Nigeria, FAAN and the future of African aviation.
Scheduled to hold from September 19 to 25, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the ACI Africa gathering will bring together airport leaders, regulators, policymakers, investors, technology providers and aviation professionals from across Africa and beyond.
The conference is themed “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” providing the central focus for this special edition of FAAN IN FOCUS.
The episode explores a fundamental question: What does the next generation of African airports look like?
Anchored by Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun, the programme features an in-depth conversation with FAAN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, examining the significance of ACI Africa 2026 and the opportunities it presents for Nigeria.
The conversation explores what FAAN can learn from successful airports across Africa, as well as what Nigeria can contribute to the wider African airport community.
With airports across the continent facing common challenges including growing passenger numbers, ageing infrastructure, changing passenger expectations, sustainability concerns, financing and operational resilience the episode examines how knowledge sharing and collaboration can contribute to more effective solutions.
Technology is also central to the discussion, with the programme exploring innovations such as digital identity, smarter passenger processing, artificial intelligence and modern airport-management systems, and their potential to transform the airport experience for Nigerian passengers.
The special edition further considers the importance of investment and private-sector partnerships, including the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in supporting the scale of airport development and transformation required in Nigeria.
A dedicated “Leadership” segment features FAAN Board Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, highlighting the Board’s vision for building an institution capable of sustaining airport transformation and creating a lasting legacy for Nigerian aviation.
Beyond the conference itself, FAAN IN FOCUS examines the broader role of ACI Africa in bringing together the continent’s airport community to share knowledge, develop professional capacity, explore emerging technologies and address common industry challenges.
For FAAN IN FOCUS, the special edition provides an opportunity to examine the wider implications of Nigeria hosting such an important gathering at a time when African aviation is undergoing significant transformation.
As Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s airport community, Episode 14 explores the possibilities that can emerge when African aviation stakeholders come together around shared challenges and opportunities.
The episode ultimately asks whether stronger cooperation across the continent can help build airports that are safer, smarter, more resilient and better equipped for the future.
With Africa’s aviation conversation coming to Nigeria, FAAN IN FOCUS highlights the opportunity for FAAN to connect with Africa, learn from Africa, contribute to Africa and help shape what comes next.
