The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the commencement of plans to decarbonize the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, as part of broader efforts to align the aviation sector with global sustainability targets and combat the rising impact of climate change.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement session on carbon emissions management, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stressed that the transition to sustainable airport operations was both a national obligation and a global necessity.
“The global aviation community stands at a crossroads,” Keyamo said in remarks delivered by Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
“Embedding sustainability into our aviation infrastructure is not optional—it is an imperative for long-term, resilient prosperity.”
He proposed multiple strategies for emissions reduction, including:
- Group electrification of airport aprons and terminals
- The development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) corridors
- Waste-to-energy projects to power airport operations
The forum, organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), gathered experts and industry players to deliberate on Nigeria’s roadmap to achieving net-zero emissions in airport operations.
Also speaking at the event, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by Dr. Luqman Eniola, Director of Human Resources and Administration, underscored the risks climate change poses to global aviation.
“If not properly managed, climate change will create negative ripple effects across aviation businesses and livelihoods,” she warned.
Kuku highlighted that FAAN’s Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Team and the Carbon Emission Reduction Committee (CERC) had conducted emissions mapping in major airports including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.
Findings from Lagos Airport between 2017 and 2023 revealed that electricity usage accounted for 90% of total emissions, prompting early implementation of emissions reduction measures in that location.
“Abuja Airport is now our next focus,” she said.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop a realistic carbon management plan tailored for NAIA.”
FAAN indicated that further decarbonization steps will be integrated into the reconstruction and expansion plans for terminal buildings across the country.
“As they say, never walk alone—we want to walk with you, and we need you to walk with us in our journey toward net-zero emissions,” Kuku concluded.
