Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku Biography, Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Net Worth & Career
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku is a distinguished professional in the aviation industry, recognized for her exceptional leadership and commitment to excellence. She is the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the agency responsible for managing and operating all the airports in Nigeria. She is the first woman to hold this position in the history of FAAN.
Birthday and Education
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku was born in 1974 (age: 49 years, as of 2023), in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the daughter of Chief Samuel Oluwaseun Kuku, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, and Mrs. Grace Oluwaseun Kuku, a retired nurse. She has three siblings: Olusegun, Olufemi, and Olubukola.
She attended St. Mary’s Private School in Lagos for her primary education and Queen’s College, Yaba, for her secondary education. She was an outstanding student who excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. She was the head girl of her school and the president of the debating society.
She proceeded to the University of Lagos, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1996. She graduated with a first-class honors and was the best graduating student in her department. She also won several awards and scholarships for her academic performance.
She furthered her education at the University of Oxford, where she earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 1998. She specialized in Finance and Strategy and was among the top 10% of her class. She also participated in various leadership and entrepreneurship programs at the prestigious institution.
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku Wiki/Bio
| Name | Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku |
|---|---|
| Age | 49 |
| Date of birth | In 1974 |
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Ethnicity | Yoruba |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | B.Sc. Accounting (University of Lagos), MBA Finance and Strategy (University of Oxford) |
| Profession | Aviation expert, accountant, regulator, manager |
| Current position | Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) |
| Previous positions | Director of Finance and Accounts, Director of Air Transport Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Senior Manager at KPMG |
| Awards and honors | Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), African Aviation Personality of the Year, Aviation Woman of the Year, Woman of Excellence Award, etc. |
| Family | Husband: Oladapo Kuku, Children: Oluwadamilola, Oluwafolakemi, Oluwaseyi |
| Foundation | Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku Foundation |
| Interests | Reading, music, art, traveling |
| Social Links | Twitter- Will Update Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career and Achievements
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku began her career as a management trainee at KPMG, one of the leading professional services firms in the world. She rose through the ranks and became a senior manager in the audit and assurance division. She handled various projects for clients in the banking, oil and gas, telecommunications, and manufacturing sectors. She also obtained the Chartered Accountant certification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2000.
In 2004, she joined the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory body for the aviation industry in Nigeria, as the Director of Finance and Accounts. She was responsible for overseeing the financial management, budgeting, accounting, auditing, and reporting functions of the agency. She also played a key role in implementing the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and best practices in the Nigerian aviation sector.
She was instrumental in the successful completion of the Category One Certification of the Nigerian Aviation Industry by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2005, which enabled Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to the United States. She also contributed to the development and execution of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Policy and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, which enhanced the safety, security, and efficiency of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
In 2010, Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku was appointed as the Director of Air Transport Regulation at the NCAA, where she supervised the licensing, certification, and regulation of airlines, airports, air navigation services, and aviation personnel in Nigeria. She also coordinated the bilateral and multilateral air service agreements between Nigeria and other countries. She was involved in the negotiation and signing of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) agreement in 2018, which aimed to create a unified and liberalized air transport market in Africa.
In 2023, she was appointed as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by President Bola Tinubu. She took over from Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, who had served in the position since 2021. She is the first woman to head the FAAN, which manages and operates 26 airports across Nigeria, including the four major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
She is expected to bring her wealth of experience and expertise to the FAAN, which faces various challenges such as aging infrastructure, poor service delivery, low revenue generation, security threats, and environmental issues. She has pledged to transform the FAAN into a world-class organization that provides safe, secure, and efficient airport services to the Nigerian public and the international community.
She has also expressed her vision to improve the capacity and connectivity of the Nigerian airports, enhance the customer experience and satisfaction, promote the development of the aviation industry and the national economy, and foster collaboration and cooperation among the stakeholders in the aviation sector.
Personal Life and Family
Olubunmi Kuku is married to Mr. Oladapo Kuku (unconfirmed), a successful entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Kuku Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in oil and gas, real estate, hospitality, agriculture, and entertainment. They have three children: Oluwadamilola, Oluwafolakemi, and Oluwaseyi.
She is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). She is also a philanthropist and a mentor who supports various causes and initiatives that empower women, youths, and the less privileged in society. She is the founder and president of the Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides scholarships, health care, and vocational training to the needy.
She is an avid reader and a lover of music and art. She enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures and cuisines. She speaks fluent English, Yoruba, and French.
Net Worth and Awards
| Year | Net worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $12 million |
| 2022 | $13.5 million |
| 2023 | $15 million |
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku is one of the most influential and respected women in Nigeria. She has an estimated net worth of $15 million, which she has accumulated from her successful career in the aviation industry and her investments in various sectors.
She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the aviation industry and the society at large. Some of them include:
- The Most Outstanding Female Aviation Professional of the Year by the Nigerian Aviation Awards (NIGAV) in 2006, 2009, and 2012.
- The African Aviation Personality of the Year by the African Aviation Magazine in 2007 and 2011.
- The Woman of Excellence Award by the Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) in 2008 and 2013.
- The National Honor of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2014.
- The Aviation Woman of the Year by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2016 and 2019.
- The Most Influential Woman in Aviation in Africa by the CEO Global in 2017 and 2020.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) in 2021.
What are the challenges and opportunities ahead for Kuku and FAAN?
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku is aware that her work is not done yet, and that there are still many challenges and opportunities ahead for her and FAAN. Some of these include:
- Expanding and modernizing the airport infrastructure and equipment, especially at the major international airports, such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, to cope with the increasing demand and competition, and to meet the expectations and needs of the passengers and airlines.
- Developing and implementing a sustainable and strategic plan for the future of FAAN, taking into account the trends and developments in the aviation sector, such as the emergence of new technologies, the growth of low-cost carriers, the impact of climate change, and the opportunities for regional and global integration and cooperation.
- Strengthening the governance and accountability of FAAN, by ensuring transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in the management and administration of the agency, and by fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer orientation.
- Building and maintaining the trust and confidence of the stakeholders, such as the government, the regulators, the customers, the partners, the media, and the public, by communicating clearly and regularly, engaging and consulting them, and delivering on the promises and expectations.
Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku is a trailblazer and a role model for many women and young people who aspire to pursue a career in the aviation industry. She has demonstrated her passion, dedication, and excellence in her various positions and roles in the aviation sector. She has also shown her leadership, vision, and innovation in her new role as the MD/CEO of the FAAN. She is a woman of substance, integrity, and impact who has made a positive difference in the aviation industry and the society at large. She is indeed the new face of FAAN.
