By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Federal Government has announced plans to begin decarbonization of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, at a stakeholders’ engagement on carbon emissions management organized by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.
Keyamo stressed the urgent need for sustainable practices in aviation, highlighting initiatives such as electrification of airport aprons and terminals, development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), corridors, and waste-to-energy projects.
“The challenge of climate change is not a distant theory; it is a present and pressing reality,” he said. “Embedding sustainability into our aviation infrastructure is essential for long-term, resilient prosperity.”
FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Luqman Eniola, reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to greener operations.
She warned that failure to tackle climate change could negatively impact businesses and livelihoods across the industry.
Kuku revealed that mapping exercises by FAAN’s Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), Team and the Carbon Emission Reduction Committee (CERC), showed that electricity use accounted for about 90 percent of emissions at Lagos airport between 2017 and 2023.
She noted that emission-reduction measures are already being implemented in Lagos and will soon extend to Abuja and other airports.
“The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is a priority, and that is why we are here today to hear from stakeholders and work collectively toward net-zero emissions,” she added.
FAAN said inputs from stakeholders will guide its national carbon management plan for a more sustainable aviation sector.