By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that Lagos State possesses the strategic advantages necessary to compete with established African aviation hubs such as Addis Ababa and Togo.
This is as he called on international investors to seize the enormous opportunities within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The Minister made this declaration while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Invest Lagos 3.0 summit, a three-day global investment summit convened by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The high-profile event, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, attracted leading international investors, captains of industry, policymakers, and development partners from across the globe. Governors from Imo, Abia, Plateau, and Nasarawa States were also in attendance.
Welcoming investors to Lagos, Keyamo described the state as the undisputed gateway to Nigeria and one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, expressing confidence that with ongoing investments and reforms, Lagos would soon rival continental leaders.
“Lagos is strategically located and equidistant to several major global destinations. Within approximately six hours, travellers can reach Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa and South America. This geographical advantage makes Lagos ideally suited to serve as a central hub connecting Africa with the rest of the world,” the Minister stated.
“Sixty-seven percent of all international passengers entering Nigeria by air come through Lagos State. This statistic alone demonstrates the attractiveness and strategic importance of Lagos as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and aviation gateway,” he added.
Keyamo disclosed that Nigeria currently operates seven international airports following the elevation of airports in Akwa Ibom and Maiduguri to international status, noting that the latter represents the first international airport in Nigeria’s North-East region — a landmark achievement under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Highlighting the Federal Government’s massive investment in aviation infrastructure, Keyamo revealed that President Tinubu has approved a $500 million investment for the comprehensive modernization and reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“This is not borrowed money. It is an investment from the nation’s resources aimed at transforming a fifty-year-old airport into a world-class aviation hub. Within the next twenty-two months, Nigerians and visitors alike will witness a remarkable transformation that will make us all proud,” he assured.
The Minister further announced plans to improve multimodal connectivity to the airport through the extension of the Lagos rail network.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is collaborating closely with the Lagos State Government to extend the rail line from Ikeja through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), MM2 terminal, and onward to the international terminal.
“Lagos is ready for the next big step in aviation development. The rail extension project will further enhance connectivity and support the state’s growing status as a regional aviation hub,” Keyamo stated.
The Minister also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to protecting investments and fostering a business-friendly environment. He cited the successful resolution of a two-decade-old dispute involving a private airport investor in Lagos, a challenge that previous administrations had been unable to resolve.
“This government has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to private sector participation. From aviation to other sectors of the economy, President Tinubu has consistently resolved long-standing investment disputes and created an environment that inspires investor confidence,” he said.
Commending Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their investor-friendly policies, Keyamo encouraged participants at the summit to explore investment opportunities in both federal and state aviation infrastructure projects.
“I invite you to invest not only in the Federal Government-owned airport infrastructure in Lagos but also in the proposed airport project along the Lekki corridor being championed by the Lagos State Government. The opportunities are immense, and the future is promising,” he concluded.
The Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit serves as a strategic platform for attracting domestic and foreign investments into Lagos State and reinforcing its position as West Africa’s leading commercial and financial destination.
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