As part of efforts toward modernizing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has officially signed the concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, marks the culmination of a multi-year effort to bring private sector investment and management into the airport’s operations. The airport has been concessioned to Aero Alliance, a private consortium.
In his remarks, Minister Keyamo described the event as “the end of a very long and tedious process,” recalling that the Federal Executive Council had granted approval for the concession on July 31, 2025. He emphasized that the agreement followed extensive negotiations and consultations, particularly with aviation unions, to safeguard workers’ interests.
“We did these agreements with the rights and privileges of workers uppermost in our minds,” Keyamo stated. “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.”
The Minister confirmed that while the main concession agreement is now signed, two operational issues—security charges and the airport’s financial model—will be finalized in the coming weeks to ensure smooth implementation.
Present at the ceremony were the Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, leading the state delegation, and representatives of Aero Alliance, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The concession of Enugu Airport is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to enhance airport infrastructure through public-private partnerships, aimed at improving service delivery, passenger experience, and regional connectivity.
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