FG Hands Enugu Airport Operations to Aero Alliance

The Federal Government has officially signed a concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marking a major milestone in its aviation reform agenda aimed at modernising infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed on Friday by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirming that officials of the Enugu State Government, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the concessionaire, Aero Alliance, were present at the signing ceremony.

Speaking through the statement, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the agreement marked the conclusion of a long, transparent, and rigorous 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.

Keyamo explained that following the Federal Executive Council’s approval, extensive negotiations were held among the ministry, FAAN, and Aero Alliance, including consultations with aviation unions to safeguard workers’ interests.

“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 said.

The minister emphasised that job security was a core element 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.

While confirming that the main concession agreement has been finalised, Keyamo noted that some operational details would still be resolved.

“There are two little issues after signing, in terms of operationalising the agreement, regarding security fees and the financial model of the airport. These will be resolved in the next few weeks. But as far as the main concession is concerned, we have agreed to concession the Enugu Airport to Aero Alliance today,” he said.

He described the signing as a historic milestone that would reposition the airport for improved efficiency, enhanced service delivery, and better passenger experience.

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

Earlier in 2025, the Ministry of Aviation clarified that concession plans for Enugu and other major airports, including Lagos and Port Harcourt, were under review, with proposals being assessed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission before final approval by the Federal Executive Council.

A concession is a public-private partnership arrangement in which a private entity operates, maintains, and upgrades airport facilities for a fixed period, while ownership remains with the government.