BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
To balance infrastructure development with labour welfare, Nigeria’s aviation authorities have brokered a key agreement on the concession arrangement of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, securing job protection guarantees for airport workers.
The agreement was reached during a high-level negotiation convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who brought together major aviation labour unions and the concessionaire in Abuja to resolve lingering concerns over the project.
The meeting included representatives of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, National Union of Air Transport Employees, and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
Speaking after the negotiations, Keyamo praised stakeholders for choosing dialogue over confrontation.
“This administration believes strongly in dialogue, fairness, and inclusivity. Infrastructure development and workers’ welfare are not mutually exclusive.
“We will continue to ensure that every reform process is guided by compassion, equity, and national interest”, he said.
The breakthrough agreement saw the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the unions and the concessionaire.
The pact guarantees job security for all affected employees, ensures preservation of staff status, and protects existing employment conditions throughout the concession lifecycle.
Union leaders described the outcome as a victory for collective bargaining and national development.
Stakeholders emphasized that no worker will be unjustly displaced under the new arrangement, while productivity and operational efficiency will be prioritized under private sector participation.
Keyamo commended union leadership for their cooperation, saying, “I commend the maturity, patriotism, and commitment to constructive engagement demonstrated by ATSSAN, NUATE, and ANAP leadership. This is how we build a stronger aviation sector for Nigeria.”
The concession initiative forms part of broader federal efforts to modernize aviation infrastructure, improve passenger experience, and attract private investment into Nigeria’s airports while maintaining strong regulatory oversight.
Officials noted that the agreement represents a strategic milestone in aviation reform, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to sustainable development policies that protect both national assets and workforce interests.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development reiterated that stakeholder engagement will remain a cornerstone of its reform strategy, promising continuous consultation as Nigeria pursues a globally competitive aviation ecosystem.
With the agreement now sealed, attention shifts to implementation, as aviation authorities and the concessionaire prepare to commence the next phase of airport modernization while upholding the terms of the labour protection pact.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
