The Enugu State Caucus in the House of Representatives has declared its support for the federal government’s plan to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu.
The lawmakers described the move as essential for unlocking economic growth in the South East and urged speedy action to finalize the concession process.
In a statement jointly signed by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, Hon. Martins Oke, Hon. Dennis Agbo, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Hon. Sunday Umeha, Hon. Paul Nnamchi, and Hon. Mark Obetta—representing all eight federal constituencies in Enugu State—the caucus stated: “Due to poor capital investment, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, remains partially completed and indeed an international airport only in name over two decades since it was designated as such by the federal government.”
The lawmakers further pointed out that “critical components such as cargo terminal, runway, international terminal, among others, are either non-existent or requiring completion or upgrade.”
Currently, Akanu Ibiam International Airport is the main aviation gateway to the South East, serving millions from Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, and Anambra states. However, infrastructure deficits have long limited its capacity to handle international operations efficiently, resulting in rerouted flights and economic setbacks for businesses in the region.
“Businesses and the people of the South East especially have borne the brunt of these inadequacies, which manifest in the paucity of international flights and intermittent closure of the airport for repair of the runway, as recently witnessed,” the statement added.
The lawmakers believe that concessioning the airport is the best option to attract private capital needed to upgrade the facility to true international standards.
Clarifying the Concession Plan
Addressing public concerns, the caucus clarified that concessioning is different from privatization. “Concessioning was not the same thing as privatisation or sale of the airport as being peddled by some persons, but a well-known and tenured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, which pulls private capital investment into public infrastructure while government retains ownership and regulatory or supervisory authority,” the statement explained.
Akanu Ibiam Airport was first designated an international airport in 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration. While initial improvements, including a new terminal building funded partly through a ₦10 billion intervention during President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, were made, the facility still lacks key amenities such as a functional cargo section and a fully operational extended runway that can accommodate larger aircraft.
The Federal Government, under its new aviation roadmap spearheaded by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, is pursuing airport concession models to enhance efficiency, infrastructure quality, and service delivery across the country.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, and Port Harcourt International Airport are also slated for similar concessioning.
Call for Diligence and Transparency
The Enugu caucus stressed the importance of entrusting the airport to a competent and reputable concessionaire. “We call on the federal government to hasten this process, for the people of the South East region in particular and Nigeria in general to start benefiting from the huge possibilities and blessings it holds,” the caucus urged.
They also emphasized the qualities the chosen concessionaire must possess.
“Indeed, we also have faith in federal government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to entrust AIIA to a concessionaire with the financial and technical prowess, strong international pedigree and reputation as well as antecedent of verifiable successes to actualise the target. Nothing less than this is acceptable and capable of catalysing the much-needed South East regional economic prosperity and transformation,” they said.
Meanwhile, analysts note that successful concessioning could create thousands of jobs, boost regional trade, and transform the South East into a vibrant hub for commerce, tourism, and investment.
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