Aviation Minister Signs Enugu Airport’s Concession Agreement

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, yesterday formally signed the concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marking a major milestone in the federal government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through strategic public-private partnerships.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abuja, where the minister received a combined delegation of Enugu State Government officials and representatives of Aero Alliance, the concessionaire.

Keyamo in his remarks said, “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.”

He explained that following the Federal Executive Council’s approval, the Ministry, FAAN and Aero Alliance engaged in 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 noted that while the main concession agreement has now been concluded, two operational issues — security charges and the financial model for airport operations — will be resolved in the coming weeks to ensure smooth implementation.

“There are two little issues after signing, in terms of operationalising the agreement, regarding security fees and the financial model of the airport.

“These will be resolved in the next few weeks. But as far as the main concession is concerned, we have agreed to concession the Enugu Airport to Aero Alliance today,” the minister said.

He welcomed all stakeholders to what he described as a historic ceremony that will reposition the Enugu Airport for efficiency, improved service delivery, and enhanced passenger experience.

He further explained that the concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, was part of the federal government’s broader aviation sector reform agenda aimed at attracting private investment, improving infrastructure, boosting regional connectivity, and strengthening Nigeria’s aviation competitiveness.

Keyamo described the event as the conclusion of a painstaking and transparent process that began several years ago.

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.

Also present from the federal government 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.