The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has officially signed off Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for concession under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to Aero Alliance Limited.
The event, Keyamo disclosed, marked another significant milestone in the government’s commitment to modernising airport infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency.
He said the initiative would also attract private sector investment into Nigeria’s aviation sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Keyamo described the concession as a historic breakthrough, revealing that plans to concession the airport had lingered for over two decades without success.
The minister in a statement issued Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood noted that the concession plan has been on for about 20 years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said: “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 disclosed that the success recorded with the Enugu concession has sparked renewed investor confidence, with bids already being prepared for three additional airports across the country.
The minister commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state for his visionary leadership and strategic role in attracting investors to 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.
Speaking on labour concerns, Keyamo assured airport workers that their interests and welfare remain protected under the concession arrangement.
He added: “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 One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions.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.”