The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has directed tanker drivers, limousine operators, bus parks and other informal businesses operating illegally along the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) road in Lagos to relocate immediately, warning that enforcement would begin soon.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, issued the warning yesterday, during an interaction with the media at the agency’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) to commemorate the 2025 FAAN Safety Week.

Kuku expressed worries that FAAN had repeatedly notified the affected groups through letters and direct engagements, stressing that their presence on the airport road violates safety protocols and exposes the airport to hazards.

She added that apart from obstructing traffic flow and compromising safety, the activities of the illegal operators further contribute to environmental degradation around the airport.

“We have major encroachers along the airport road. Tanker drivers, limousine drivers and bus operators have all been informed several times to move away from those locations because they are unsafe.

“It is hazardous to the environment and certainly does not beautify the airport corridor. In the last few weeks, we have carried out a sanitation assessment to identify the occupants and issue them further notice. We have also engaged the Lagos State Government and federal security agencies as we prepare to clear the area,” she said.

Kuku stressed that relocation was now inevitable, hinting that FAAN was ready to take forceful action if the operators refused to leave voluntarily.

According to her, the poor environmental conditions around the Lagos and Abuja airports encourage wildlife activity, increasing the risk of bird strikes to aircraft. She assured that FAAN would continue to engage neighbouring communities and stakeholders to ensure a safe and secure airport environment.

For long-term stability, Kuku called for deeper collaboration and understanding among legislators, regulators, operators and airlines to strengthen compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

At the 2025 FAAN Safety Week, Kuku held an interactive session on the operations and practices of Safety Management Systems (SMS) with the agency’s directors.

She told journalists that her deliberations were targeted at keeping her management team abreast of international best practices in aviation safety.