By Okeremu Samuel
By resolving the Federal Government–Bi-Courtney dispute, the Aviation Minister strengthens his credentials as one of Nigeria’s most consequential negotiating ministers.
The signing of a final settlement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited on October 20, 2026, marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector. After nearly two decades of litigation and commercial disagreements surrounding the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos, the dispute has finally reached a negotiated resolution.
At the centre of this breakthrough is Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, whose intervention demonstrates the power of determined negotiation, commercial pragmatism and political will in resolving inherited national problems.
The dispute, rooted in the 2003 concession agreement and subsequent disagreements over contractual obligations, financial claims and airport facilities, had become a symbol of the difficulties associated with public-private partnerships in Nigeria. Bi-Courtney’s judgment debt claim stood at approximately ₦132 billion, plus accumulated interest, while the Federal Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had their own financial and operational concerns.
Under the negotiated settlement, Bi-Courtney agreed to waive its judgment debt claim and interest, while the government agreed to relinquish specified historical financial claims. The agreement also clarifies FAAN’s responsibility for the old domestic terminal, provides a framework for renewed concession revenue and allows for further development at MMA2, subject to the agreed conditions.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond one concession. It demonstrates that even disputes that survive successive administrations can be resolved when parties are prepared to compromise in pursuit of a mutually beneficial outcome.
Keyamo’s credentials as a deal-maker are further strengthened by his wider aviation initiatives. His engagement with British authorities helped advance opportunities for Air Peace to operate the Lagos–London route, introducing additional competition on a major international corridor. His administration has also pursued reforms under the Cape Town Convention to improve confidence in aircraft financing and leasing, helping Nigeria strengthen its standing with international investors.
In addition, the minister has promoted strategic cooperation with global manufacturers, including Boeing and Airbus, while supporting the development of domestic aircraft maintenance capacity through initiatives such as Air Peace’s proposed Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility. The proposed Nigerian Aircraft Leasing Company and negotiations aimed at easing financial pressures on domestic airlines further illustrate the breadth of his aviation reform agenda.
These initiatives address longstanding challenges involving aircraft acquisition, foreign-exchange expenditure, maintenance infrastructure and the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines. Although some remain subject to implementation, they reflect an approach that combines commercial negotiations, regulatory reform and international engagement.
Can Keyamo be described as the greatest negotiating minister Nigeria has ever produced? Such a ranking remains subjective, particularly when compared with ministers across other sectors and administrations. Nevertheless, his record places him among the country’s most consequential deal-making ministers in aviation.
Ultimately, the true measure of the Bi-Courtney settlement will be its implementation: the revenue FAAN collects, the obligations fulfilled, the infrastructure delivered and the confidence restored in Nigeria’s ability to resolve commercial disputes.
Nigeria does not lack agreements and policy announcements; its greater challenge is translating them into tangible results. If the settlement delivers its promised benefits, Keyamo’s achievement could become a model for resolving other long-running disputes between government and private investors.
The Bi-Courtney agreement is therefore more than a ministerial milestone. It is a significant test of whether negotiation can replace prolonged confrontation with revenue, investment and lasting economic value.
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