FG unveils Lekki international airport plans …. Calls on private sector to invest in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector.

The Federal Government has urged private sector investors to explore the vast opportunities within Nigeria’s aviation industry, promising full support and protection for their investments.

The call came at the ongoing Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Aviation Conference (FNAC 2025) in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, highlighted Nigeria’s rapidly evolving aviation landscape and encouraged investors to embrace its long-term potential.

He assured that the enabling environment for investment is strengthening every day, creating an ideal climate for profitable partnerships.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also used the platform to announce that the state government has obtained approval to construct the Lekki International Airport.

The new airport is designed to handle up to five million passengers annually and is expected to complement the existing Murtala Muhammed International Airport, easing congestion while supporting the industrial development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Minister Keyamo outlined multiple areas where private sector involvement is being actively sought.

Central to this is airport infrastructure modernization. He encouraged investors to engage through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to ensure viable returns while contributing to the sector’s growth.

Another priority highlighted by Keyamo is the establishment of a world-class Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub.

He emphasised that FAAN is uniquely positioned to develop a regional MRO center to serve West and Central Africa, which would significantly reduce costs, retain capital within the continent, and create high-skill jobs.

“Africa loses billions yearly to offshore maintenance, but FAAN is ready to facilitate a localized solution.

“Leveraging renewed Hope funding, we are modernizing terminals, rehabilitating runways, expanding aprons, and developing new cargo complexes.

”Some of these projects could be delivered transparently under PPP frameworks that guarantee viability and investor returns, ” he said.

Represented by Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Keyamo also identified aviation leasing companies and cargo and logistics hubs as critical areas for international collaboration.

He stressed that Nigeria’s strengthened legal framework for aviation financing positions the country to deepen aircraft leasing and modernize airline fleets.

Keyamo noted that dedicated cargo and logistics hubs would enhance agro-exports, reduce spoilage, and integrate Nigerian producers into global value chains.

“These are not just concepts—they are concrete opportunities for investors to participate in shaping Africa’s aviation future,” he added.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s aviation narrative has shifted from problem-spotting to solution-building, pointing out that six airports and multiple runways are already undergoing government-funded transformations under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, reinforced the call for private investment, urging global expertise in infrastructure development, operational management, and technology integration.

She noted that the gap between current capacity and projected demand offers immense opportunities in terminal modernization, cargo facilities, and airport cities.

“We seek partners to enhance efficiency and share in the profitability of a growing market,” Kuku said.

“From biometrics to sustainable solutions, the fundamentals are undeniable: Africa’s largest population, a growing economy, and a strategic geographic position make investment inevitable.

”The question is, who will have the foresight to join us?”

She also appealed to unions to collaborate with FAAN, emphasising that private investment is not a replacement for workers but a catalyst for sector growth.

“It will create better facilities, more advanced systems, and ultimately, more and better jobs for Nigerians. Let us work together to welcome the capital that will secure our collective future,” she said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu provided details of the planned Lekki International Airport, which will be capable of accommodating the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.

The airport will be located on 3,800 hectares within the Lekki Free Zone corridor, just five kilometers from the Dangote Refinery.

The governor emphasized that the airport would not only relieve pressure on Lagos’s existing airport facilities but also stimulate industrial growth in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, further cementing the state as a hub for aviation and commerce.

The conference, FNAC 2025, has thus emerged as a strategic platform for showcasing investment opportunities and advancing partnerships that could redefine the future of Nigerian and African aviation.