The Federal Government has taken a major step towards modernising Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure with the formal signing of the concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Mr. Tunde Moshood, the event brought together officials of the Enugu State Government 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.
Top Federal Government officials at the signing included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Yakubu Adams Kofarmata; the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; and FAAN’s Director of Legal Services, Mrs. Bridget Iwinose Gold, among others.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo described the signing as the culmination of a long and transparent process that began several years ago and received approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 31, 2025.
“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 explained that extensive negotiations followed the FEC approval, including consultations with aviation unions, to ensure that workers’ welfare was protected.
“Their terms and conditions of employment have not changed in any way, and they remain workers of the Federal Government and FAAN,” he stated.
According to Keyamo, no aviation worker was retrenched as a result of the concession, and all staff retained their employment status and conditions under the Federal Government and FAAN.
The Minister added that two operational matters — security charges and the airport’s financial model — would be resolved in the coming weeks to ensure seamless implementation of the concession.
The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, forms part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation reform agenda aimed at attracting private investment, improving service delivery, enhancing passenger experience, and boosting Nigeria’s regional and international aviation competitiveness.
