The Federal Government has officially concessioned the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, marking another milestone in efforts to expand private-sector participation in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The concession agreement was signed on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a ceremony at the airport’s new terminal attended by top government officials and key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
Among those present were Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, representatives of the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, and Aero Alliance Limited.
Describing the agreement as a landmark achievement, Keyamo said attempts to concession the airport had spanned nearly two decades before finally materialising under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This concession plan has been on for about twenty years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the minister said.
He explained that previous investors had focused mainly on airports in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, while Enugu and Port Harcourt attracted limited interest. According to him, the successful concession of the Enugu airport has renewed investor confidence, with Port Harcourt International Airport expected to follow within the next few weeks and bids already being prepared for three additional airports.
Keyamo also praised Governor Mbah for his role in facilitating the investment, noting that the Enugu State Government worked closely with the Federal Government to attract private investors to the project.
Addressing concerns raised by aviation workers, the minister assured employees that their welfare and rights would be protected under the new management arrangement.
He added, however, that the concession would usher in greater efficiency, accountability and improved service delivery, stressing that committed workers had nothing to fear from the transition.
Keyamo urged Aero Alliance Limited to deliver on its mandate, stating that the company’s performance would serve as a benchmark for future airport concession agreements across Nigeria.
The minister further disclosed that the Enugu State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a direct air route between Guangzhou, China, and Enugu, a development expected to boost trade, tourism and investment in the South-East.
Following the signing ceremony, operational and management responsibilities for the airport were formally handed over to Aero Alliance Limited.
Governor Mbah described the concession as a transformative milestone that aligns with his administration’s vision of positioning Enugu as a leading aviation, logistics and investment hub in West Africa.
The agreement marks another phase of the Federal Government’s airport modernisation programme, which seeks to improve aviation infrastructure, attract private investment and enhance passenger experience through public-private partnerships.
