FG Hands Over Enugu Airport to Private Operator in Push to Revamp Aviation Sector

The Federal Government has formally concessioned the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership, marking a major step in its plan to modernize Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo signed off on the deal Thursday, transferring operational and management control of the airport to the concessionaire. The ceremony was attended by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, officials from FAAN, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, and Aero Alliance Limited.

Keyamo said the concession, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ends a 20-year effort to bring private investment to the airport. “Before now, investors focused mainly on Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. Nobody was interested in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Today, Enugu has been successfully concessioned and Port Harcourt will follow within weeks,” he said.

The minister noted that the deal has already boosted investor interest, with bids underway for three other airports. He also commended Governor Mbah for helping facilitate the project despite political differences, saying Tinubu had directed full support for the state’s initiative.

Addressing labor concerns, Keyamo assured aviation workers their jobs are protected, but stressed the shift to private management would prioritize “efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.”

Aero Alliance Limited will operate, maintain, and upgrade the airport while ownership remains with the Federal Government. The Enugu State Government also signed an MoU to establish a direct Enugu-Guangzhou flight route to drive trade and tourism.

The concession follows FEC approval of the full business case on July 31, 2025, with the formal agreement signed in January 2026.