The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has signed the formal concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State, marking a significant step in the Federal Government’s aviation reform programme.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Abuja, where the Minister hosted officials of the Enugu State Government and representatives of Aero Alliance, the concessionaire selected to manage the airport.
A statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, said the Enugu State delegation was led by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, while the Aero Alliance team included senior executives and legal representatives.
Top officials of the Ministry and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), including the Permanent Secretary and the FAAN Managing Director, were also in attendance.
Speaking at the ceremony, Keyamo described the signing as the culmination of a long and transparent process that spanned several years.
He recalled that the Federal Executive Council approved the concession of the Enugu Airport on July 31, 2025, subject to the completion of contractual negotiations.
According to the Minister, extensive consultations were held with key stakeholders, including aviation unions, to ensure that the interests of workers were fully protected.
He assured that no airport staff would be retrenched or have their employment conditions altered as a result of the concession.
Keyamo emphasised that all workers at the airport would remain employees of the Federal Government and FAAN, noting that job security and staff welfare were central considerations throughout the negotiation process.
While confirming that the main concession agreement has been finalised, the Minister disclosed that a few operational matters, including security charges and the financial model for airport operations, would be resolved in the coming weeks to ensure smooth implementation.
He described the concession as a landmark development that would reposition the Enugu Airport for greater efficiency, improved service delivery, and enhanced passenger experience.
The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport formed part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to attract private investment into the aviation sector, modernise airport infrastructure, improve regional connectivity, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global aviation industry.
