The Federal Government has taken a major step in its airport modernisation programme with the formal concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The landmark agreement was signed on Thursday at the airport’s new terminal by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, marking what the government described as a historic breakthrough in its efforts to transform Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through private sector participation.
The ceremony attracted senior government officials and aviation stakeholders, including the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; representatives of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh; senior officials of the ministry and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aero Alliance Limited, Saleem Aman Ullah Abdulhussain.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo described the concession as the successful conclusion of a process that had remained unresolved for nearly two decades.
According to him, previous attempts to concession the airport failed because investors concentrated their interests on major airports such as Lagos, Abuja and Kano, leaving Enugu and Port Harcourt without serious private investment.
He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had succeeded in unlocking the process, making Enugu the first of the new wave of airport concessions.
“The concession plan has existed for about twenty years, but it has only become a reality under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Before now, investors were interested mainly in Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports. Nobody was interested in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Today, Enugu has been successfully concessioned, while Port Harcourt will also be handed over within the next few weeks,” the minister stated.
Keyamo disclosed that the successful completion of the Enugu concession had significantly boosted investor confidence, revealing that preparations were already underway for the concession of three additional airports across the country.
He attributed part of the success of the project to the commitment of Governor Peter Mbah, praising the governor’s proactive approach in attracting investors and driving the initiative.
According to the minister, President Tinubu had directed him to support Governor Mbah’s efforts despite political differences, describing the Enugu governor as a dependable partner in delivering the project.
Addressing concerns over the impact of the concession on airport employees, Keyamo assured workers that their jobs and welfare would remain protected under the new arrangement.
He recalled that aviation labour unions had initially challenged the Federal Government’s airport concession programme in court but noted that they eventually withdrew their legal actions after engaging with the ministry and understanding the objectives of the initiative.
The minister, however, stressed that the concession would usher in a new era of professionalism, accountability and efficiency in airport management.
He maintained that workers who carried out their responsibilities diligently had nothing to fear, while emphasising that private sector management would eliminate inefficiency and improve service delivery.
Keyamo also challenged Aero Alliance Limited to deliver world-class services, noting that as one of Nigeria’s pioneer airport concessionaires, the company’s performance would serve as a benchmark for future airport concession projects nationwide.
In another major announcement, the minister disclosed that the Enugu State Government had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the commencement of direct flights between Enugu and Guangzhou, China.
He said the proposed international route would strengthen trade, tourism, investment and commercial relations between the South-East region and China.
Following the minister’s address, concession documents were formally signed, officially transferring the operational and management responsibilities of Akanu Ibiam International Airport to Aero Alliance Limited.
Governor Peter Mbah described the concession as a transformative milestone for Enugu State, saying it aligns with his administration’s vision of developing the state into a leading aviation, logistics and investment hub in West Africa.
He expressed confidence that private sector management would accelerate infrastructure development, improve passenger services and stimulate economic activities across the region.
The concession represents another milestone in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation sector, with officials expressing optimism that greater private sector participation would improve airport infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, create new investment opportunities and deliver world-class services for passengers while supporting the long-term growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
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