The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on emergency preparedness, disaster management and coordinated response operations.
Kuku gave the assurance on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, to the FAAN headquarters in Lagos.
She commended LASEMA for its continued support during emergency situations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, saying the partnership between both agencies has improved emergency response coordination and incident management in Lagos State.
According to her, the collaboration remains strategic, particularly in the area of emergency mock drills, disaster response exercises and safety management operations within airport environments.
The FAAN boss also welcomed LASEMA’s proposal seeking the Authority’s participation in the proposed Lagos Institute of Disaster Management, an initiative being established by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Lagos State University (LASU), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other institutions.
Kuku, however, stressed that all training programmes involving airport personnel must align with the operational standards and regulatory frameworks of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
She noted that while additional training in areas such as Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Disaster Management, Recovery and Logistics was important, FAAN operates within strict aviation safety and regulatory guidelines.
She added that any decision regarding participation in the proposed programmes would be subject to the necessary approvals and compliance requirements.
The FAAN managing director further disclosed that the Authority already operates a structured emergency management system with designated Incident Commanders coordinating emergency operations across airport facilities.
To sustain engagement on the initiative, she named the South-West Regional Manager, Mr. Arewa Olatokunbo, as FAAN’s focal point for further discussions with LASEMA.
Kuku reiterated FAAN’s commitment to sustaining its longstanding collaboration with LASEMA in advancing emergency preparedness, coordinated response mechanisms and aviation safety management in line with global best practices.
Earlier, Oke-Osanyintolu said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration among FAAN, LASEMA and the Lagos State Government in the area of disaster management and emergency response.
He explained that LASEMA was seeking FAAN’s support and participation in the Lagos Institute of Disaster Management in recognition of the Authority’s critical role in emergency management within the aviation sector.
