BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In a move designed to engender higher revenue, better service delivery and economic growth, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has formally sealed a concession deal for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
This was disclosed in a statement from the Special Adviser On Media and Communications to Keyamo, Tunde Moshood.
The deal, which marks a key milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to upgrade Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through strategic public-private partnerships, was signed at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abuja.
It climaxed when the Minister received a combined delegation of Enugu State Government officials and representatives of Aero Alliance, the concessionaire.
The Enugu State delegation was led by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, while the Aero Alliance team included Engr. Chuks Aniekwe, Barrister Oyiwodu Okibe-Oga, Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Kester Enwereonu, and Barrister Michael Nwaechie of Ivy Solicitors.
On the Federal Government’s side were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Yakubu Adams Kofarmata; the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Director, Legal Services, FAAN, Mrs. Bridget Iwinose Gold, alongside other top officials of the Ministry and FAAN.
The signing procession was led by the Minister himself.
In his address, Keyamo described the event as the conclusion of a painstaking and transparent process that began several years ago.
“Today is the end of a very long and tedious process regarding the concession of the Enugu Airport. The process culminated on the 31st of July, 2025, when the Federal Executive Council approved the proposal to concession the Enugu Airport, subject of course to contract,” the Minister said.
He noted that the deal draws strength from the Federal Executive Council’s approval, the Ministry, FAAN and Aero Alliance that galvanised all parties into extensive negotiations, including consultations with aviation unions, to ensure that workers’ welfare remained a top priority.
“We did these agreements with the rights and privileges of workers uppermost in our minds. Let me say today that we have fully respected and preserved the rights of aviation workers.
“They have not been retrenched, their terms and conditions of employment have not changed in any way, and they remain workers of the Federal Government and FAAN,” he stressed.
According to the Minister, safeguarding jobs and protecting staff interests formed a core part of the concession framework.
“The workers have not been short-changed in any way at all. Their jobs are safe and protected. Having taken care of the rights of workers, we then addressed other critical issues and virtually covered all areas before the signing of this agreement,” he added.
The Minister explained that although the primary concession agreement has been finalized, two remaining operational matters, security charges and the airport’s financial model, will be addressed in the coming weeks to ensure seamless execution.
He noted that these issues relate to the practical implementation of the deal and expressed confidence that they will be resolved shortly.
According to him, the Federal Government has formally agreed to concession Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance, marking a major milestone in the airport’s transformation.
Describing the signing as a historic moment, the Minister welcomed stakeholders and emphasized that the concession is expected to reposition the airport for greater efficiency, stronger service delivery, and an improved passenger experience.
The Enugu Airport concession forms part of the Federal Government’s wider aviation reform strategy, which seeks to attract private sector investment, modernize infrastructure, expand regional air connectivity, and enhance Nigeria’s overall competitiveness in the global aviation industry.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
