The Federal Government has concluded the concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marking a major milestone in its efforts to modernise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
The agreement was formalised on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and signed by the minister’s media team. Officials of the Enugu State Government, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the concessionaire, Aero Alliance, were present at the signing ceremony.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the agreement marked the end of a long and transparent process that began several years ago. He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the proposal to concession the Enugu Airport on July 31, 2025, subject to the finalisation of contractual terms.
Keyamo explained that extensive negotiations followed the approval, involving the ministry, FAAN, Aero Alliance, and aviation unions. According to him, the discussions were deliberately structured to safeguard the rights and welfare of airport workers.
“We ensured that the rights and privileges of workers were fully protected. No worker has been retrenched, their terms of employment remain unchanged, and they continue as staff of the Federal Government and FAAN,” the minister said.
He stressed that job security was a central pillar of the concession framework, adding that aviation workers were not disadvantaged in any form during the process.
While announcing the completion of the main concession agreement, Keyamo noted that a few operational issues, including security fees and aspects of the airport’s financial model, would be resolved in the coming weeks to enable smooth implementation.
The minister described the signing as a historic step that would reposition the Enugu airport for greater efficiency, improved service delivery, and a better passenger experience.
The Enugu Airport concession forms part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation reform agenda aimed at attracting private investment, improving infrastructure, boosting regional connectivity, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global aviation sector.
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