Keyamo Formalises Enugu Airport Concession as FG Pushes Infrastructure Modernisation
The Federal Government has formally concluded the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, with the signing of a landmark agreement aimed at transforming the facility into a more efficient and commercially viable aviation hub.
The concession agreement was signed on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Abuja by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders from the Enugu State Government, Aero Alliance – the designated concessionaire – as well as senior officials of the Federal Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The Enugu State Government delegation was led by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, while the Aero Alliance team comprised Engr. Chuks Aniekwe, Barrister Oyiwodu Okibe-Oga, Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Kester Enwereonu and Barrister Michael Nwaechie of Ivy Solicitors.
Also present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Yakubu Adams Kofarmata; the Managing Director and Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; the Director of Legal Services at FAAN, Mrs. Bridget Iwinose Gold; and other senior officials of the Ministry and FAAN.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Keyamo described the agreement as the outcome of an exhaustive and transparent process that began several years ago and required careful alignment of public and private sector interests.
He noted that the Federal Executive Council approved the concession of the Enugu Airport on July 31, 2025, subject to the successful conclusion of contractual negotiations.
According to the Minister, following the Council’s approval, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, FAAN and Aero Alliance engaged in intensive negotiations, including consultations with aviation unions, to ensure that the concession arrangement did not undermine workers’ rights or job security.
“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,” Keyamo said.
He stressed that the protection of aviation workers formed a central pillar of the concession framework, adding that staff welfare was addressed before other commercial and operational considerations were finalised.
“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 had been concluded, the Minister disclosed that two outstanding operational issues – security-related charges and the airport’s financial operating model – would be resolved within the next few weeks to ensure the smooth rollout of the concession.
“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.
Keyamo described the signing as a historic step that would reposition the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to deliver improved efficiency, better service standards and enhanced passenger experience.
The concession of the Enugu Airport aligns with the Federal Government’s wider aviation reform agenda, which seeks to attract private sector investment, modernise airport infrastructure, strengthen regional connectivity and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global aviation industry.
