FG Hands Over Enugu Airport to Private Operator Under PPP Deal
Aviation Minister, Aero Alliance, Mbah and others at a concession agreement signing in Enugu
By Reporter
A public-private partnership (PPP) agreement has officially transferred the management of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to Aero Alliance Limited, marking what the Federal Government describes as a major milestone in its airport modernisation programme.
The concession agreement was signed at the airport’s new terminal as part of efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency and attract private investment into Nigeria’s aviation sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said plans to concession the airport had been in the works for about 20 years but only materialised under the current administration.
According to the minister, previous investors concentrated on airports in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, while Enugu and Port Harcourt attracted little interest. He disclosed that following the successful concession of the Enugu airport, Port Harcourt International Airport is expected to be handed over to a private operator within the next few weeks.
Keyamo added that the Enugu deal has boosted investor confidence, with proposals already being prepared for the concession of three additional airports across the country.
He commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for helping to attract investors to the project, describing him as a key partner in making the concession a reality.
Addressing concerns raised by aviation workers, the minister assured employees that their welfare and rights would remain protected under the new arrangement. However, he stressed that the airport would now operate under a private management model focused on efficiency, accountability and improved service delivery.
He also challenged Aero Alliance Limited to deliver on its mandate, noting that as one of Nigeria’s pioneer airport concessionaires, its performance would set the standard for future airport concessions nationwide.
Keyamo further revealed that the Enugu State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate direct flights between Enugu and Guangzhou, China, a move expected to strengthen trade, tourism and investment opportunities in the South-East.
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of concession documents and the transfer of the airport’s operational and management responsibilities to Aero Alliance Limited.
Governor Peter Mbah described the concession as a significant step towards positioning Enugu as a leading aviation, logistics and investment hub in West Africa. He said the partnership between the government and the private sector would drive infrastructure development, improve passenger experience and support sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Aero Alliance Limited and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.
