Aviation minister signs Enugu airport’s concession agreement as Edo mulls airline

CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO

The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has formally signed the concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marking a major milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through strategic public-private partnerships.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abuja, where the Minister received a combined delegation of Enugu State Government officials and representatives of Aero Alliance, the concessionaire.

The Enugu State delegation was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, while the Aero Alliance team included Engr. Chuks Aniekwe, Barrister Oyiwodu Okibe-Oga, Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Kester Enwereonu, and Barrister Michael Nwaechie of Ivy Solicitors.

Also present from the Federal Government side were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Yakubu Adams Kofarmata; the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Director, Legal Services, FAAN, Mrs. Bridget Iwinose Gold, alongside other top officials of the Ministry and FAAN.

The signing procession was led by the Honourable Minister himself. In his address, Keyamo described the event as the conclusion of a painstaking and transparent process that began several years ago.

“Today is the end of a very long and tedious process regarding the concession of the Enugu Airport. The process culminated on the 31st of July, 2025, when the Federal Executive Council approved the proposal to concession the Enugu Airport, subject of course to contract,” the Minister said.

He explained that following the Federal Executive Council’s approval, the Ministry, FAAN and Aero Alliance engaged in extensive negotiations, including consultations with aviation unions, to ensure that workers’ welfare remained a top priority.

“We did these agreements with the rights and privileges of workers uppermost in our minds. 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, and they remain workers of the Federal Government and FAAN,” he stressed.

According to the Minister, safeguarding jobs and protecting staff interests formed a core part of the concession framework.

“The workers have not been short-changed in any way at all. Their jobs are safe and protected. Having taken care of the rights of workers, we then addressed other critical issues and virtually covered all areas before the signing of this agreement,” he added.

The concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, is part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation sector reform agenda aimed at attracting private investment, improving infrastructure, boosting regional connectivity, and strengthening Nigeria’s aviation competitiveness.

In a related development, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo , has held audience with the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to advance discussions on the immediate activation of indigenous airline for Edo State.

Governor Okpebholo, who was accompanied by key members of his cabinet, stressed the urgency of establishing a homegrown airline to operate from Benin Airport, describing aviation as a critical driver for Edo State’s economic revival, investment inflow and job creation.

According to the Governor, the State Government is already exploring several partnership options, including engagements with South African investors who have pledged to provide aircraft for the take-off of operations.

“If I have my way, I want this airline to kick off immediately — like tomorrow, even before the election. Edo State needs a strong aviation presence to open up our economy and reposition Benin as a major hub,” Governor Okpebholo stated.