By Milcah Tanimu

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a clarification regarding the relocation of its office from Abuja to Lagos, responding to a leaked memo containing a directive from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Mrs. Obiageli Onah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, released a statement to provide clarity on the matter.

Onah clarified that FAAN’s headquarters remain in Abuja, and the relocation pertains only to operational staff being moved to Lagos to improve service delivery. The decision to relocate some staff members to Lagos was made following consultations with stakeholders, including unions, and was deemed to be in the best interest of the Authority and the country.

The statement highlighted that those affected by the decision have returned to Lagos due to insufficient office space for them in Abuja. Onah criticized the initial decision to move the headquarters to Abuja, pointing out the lack of suitable FAAN buildings in the capital to accommodate all staff simultaneously.

To address the situation, FAAN has initiated plans to engage concessionaires to construct suitable offices in both Lagos and Abuja. Until these new offices are ready, FAAN will continue to manage its existing building in Lagos, capable of accommodating directors and senior officials. The statement clarified that operational offices in Abuja remain unaffected, and the decision pertains solely to the technical designation of the “corporate headquarters.”

The statement assured that the Minister is committed to making decisions in the best interest of the country, particularly regarding public funds. It emphasized that the Minister will not be influenced by ethnic or sectional sentiments that may compromise this commitment. A final decision on the permanent headquarters location will be made in the future based on developments at that time.