Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has formally signed off the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu for concession to Aero Alliance Limited under a public-private partnership.
The move transfers operational and management responsibilities of the South-East airport to the private firm while the federal government retains ownership.
Keyamo described the long-awaited concession as a major breakthrough, noting that efforts to privatise the facility had stalled for nearly two decades.
“This concession plan has been on for about twenty years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said. “Before now, investors focused mainly on Lagos, Abuja, and Kano airports. Nobody was interested in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Today, Enugu has been successfully concessioned.”
The minister added that Port Harcourt airport would follow within weeks and that the successful Enugu deal had already boosted investor interest in three more airports.
The ceremony was attended by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and representatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders.
Keyamo praised Mbah’s role in the project despite their parties’ differences. “Governor Peter Mbah came into office with a clear plan… we have found in Governor Peter Mbah the perfect partner for this project,” he said.
Addressing concerns from aviation workers, the minister assured them of protection under the new arrangement. “I want to assure workers that they are protected. However, it will no longer be business as usual,” Keyamo stated.
Governor Mbah described the concession as a transformative step towards making Enugu a major aviation and logistics hub in West Africa.
The deal, approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2025 and formally signed earlier this year, forms part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s airports through private investment under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Aero Alliance Limited is expected to operate, maintain and upgrade the facility to improve efficiency and passenger experience.
