FG hands over Enugu airport to aero alliance under PPP concession

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has officially signed off on the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to Aero Alliance Limited.

The move is part of a broader aviation reform programme aimed at attracting private investment, strengthening regional connectivity, and improving passenger experience.

The ceremony, which marks the formal transfer of operational and management responsibilities of the airport to the concessionaire, was announced on Thursday in a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications.

According to the statement, the concession was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise airport infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and attract private-sector investment into the aviation sector under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Keyamo described the concession as a breakthrough, noting that previous attempts to concession the airport had failed for about two decades.

“This concession plan has been on for about twenty years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Before now, investors focused mainly on Lagos, Abuja, and Kano airports. Nobody was interested in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Today, Enugu has been successfully concessioned and Port Harcourt will also be handed over within the next few weeks,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the successful concession of the Enugu airport had boosted investor confidence, with bids already being prepared for three additional airports across the country. He also lauded Mbah for his role in facilitating the project.

“Governor Peter Mbah came into the office with a clear plan. Despite belonging to a different political party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed me to give him every necessary support. He brought investors to the table, and we have found in Governor Peter Mbah the perfect partner for this project,” Keyamo said.

Addressing concerns raised by workers, the minister assured aviation employees that their welfare would be protected under the concession arrangement.

“When we came into office, all aviation labour unions were in court challenging the concession programme. One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions. I want to assure workers that they are protected. However, it will no longer be business as usual. This airport will now be privately managed with a strong focus on efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. Those who perform their duties diligently have nothing to fear,” he added.

Keyamo urged Aero Alliance Limited to justify the confidence reposed in it by the Federal Government, stressing that its performance as one of Nigeria’s pioneer airport concessionaires would serve as a benchmark for future airport concessions.

He further disclosed that the Enugu State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing a direct flight connection between Guangzhou, China, and Enugu, a move expected to boost trade, tourism, and investment opportunities in the South-East.

In his remarks, Peter Mbah, Enugu State Governor, described the concession as a transformative initiative that aligns with the state government’s vision of positioning Enugu as a major aviation, logistics, and investment hub in West Africa.

The statement added that the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is expected to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, improve passenger experience, and support sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is the culmination of a process that began several years ago and received a major boost on July 31, 2025, when the Federal Executive Council approved the full business case for the airport’s concession to Aero Alliance Limited,” the statement read

The Federal Government formally signed the concession agreement in January 2026, describing it as a key component of its strategy to modernise aviation infrastructure through public-private partnerships and improve operational efficiency across the sector.

Under the arrangement, Aero Alliance Limited is expected to operate, maintain, and upgrade the airport, while ownership remains with the Federal Government.

The project is part of a broader aviation reform programme aimed at attracting private investment, strengthening regional connectivity, and improving passenger experience.

The Enugu State Government has also identified the airport concession as a critical element of its plan to transform Enugu into a major aviation, logistics, and investment hub and grow the state’s economy through increased trade, tourism, and cargo activities.

According to the statement, the ceremony was attended by Enugu State Governor, representatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Aero Alliance Limited.