Nigeria Overtakes Rivals to Claim Second Spot as Africa's Busiest Intra-Regional Air Travel Hub, Says FAAN

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By Dickson Omobola

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has disclosed that Nigeria is now ranked the second-largest domestic passenger market in Africa, with over 10.5 million domestic passengers, representing 10 per cent growth.

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Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recorded one of the strongest performances in air traffic movements in Africa in 2025, growing by 11.8 per cent.

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Kuku said in cargo, Lagos ranked among Africa’s leading cargo airports, recording 34.4 per cent growth.

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She spoke at the Airports Council International Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition held in Luanda, Angola.

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According to her, in domestic traffic, Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, were ranked among the top 10 airports in Africa for domestic passenger traffic in 2025.

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She said: “This sends a very important message: Nigeria is not only preparing to host Africa; Nigeria is also actively participating in shaping the future of African air connectivity. These developments are significant because they mirror the broader direction of our continent.

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“We are seeing growth in passenger traffic, stronger cargo performance in key gateways, and rising pressure on airports to modernise, collaborate, and build systems that are more efficient and more resilient. This is why the conversations we have had here matter so much. They are not abstract.”

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