The Federal Government has formally signed the concession agreement for Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State, marking a major step in Nigeria’s aviation reform agenda.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Abuja, where Minister Festus Keyamo received a joint delegation from the Enugu State Government and Aero Alliance, the concessionaire.
The Enugu delegation was led by Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, while Aero Alliance was represented by Engr. Chuks Aniekwe, Barrister Oyiwodu Okibe-Oga, Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Kester Enwereonu, and Barrister Michael Nwaechie of Ivy Solicitors.
Federal officials present included Permanent Secretary Dr. Yakubu Adams Kofarmata, FAAN Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and FAAN Director of Legal Services Mrs. Bridget Iwinose Gold.
In his remarks, Keyamo described the concession as the conclusion of a long and transparent process.
“Today is the end of a very long and tedious process regarding the concession of the Enugu Airport. The process culminated on the 31st of July, 2025, when the Federal Executive Council approved the proposal to concession the Enugu Airport, subject, of course, to contract,” he said.
He explained that extensive negotiations were held with FAAN, Aero Alliance, and aviation unions to ensure workers’ welfare was protected.
“We did these agreements with the rights and privileges of workers uppermost in our minds. Let me say today that we have fully respected and preserved the rights of aviation workers. They have not been retrenched, their terms and conditions of employment have not changed in any way, and they remain workers of the Federal Government and FAAN,” Keyamo stressed.
Workers’ Rights Protected
The Minister emphasized that safeguarding jobs and protecting staff interests formed a core part of the concession framework.
“The workers have not been short-changed in any way at all. Their jobs are safe and protected. Having taken care of the rights of workers, we then addressed other critical issues and virtually covered all areas before the signing of this agreement,” he added.
He noted that while the main concession agreement has been concluded, two operational issues — security charges and the financial model for airport operations — will be resolved in the coming weeks.
“There are two little issues after signing, in terms of operationalizing the agreement, regarding security fees and the financial model of the airport. These will be resolved in the next few weeks. But as far as the main concession is concerned, we have agreed to concession the Enugu Airport to Aero Alliance today,” Keyamo said.
The concession is part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation sector reform plan aimed at attracting private investment, improving infrastructure, boosting regional connectivity, and strengthening Nigeria’s aviation competitiveness.
Keyamo described the ceremony as historic, saying it would reposition Enugu Airport for efficiency, improved service delivery, and enhanced passenger experience.
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