FG set to concession Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu airports
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled plans to concession five key international airports in Nigeria. This announcement was made during a meeting with the Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement from the Ministry’s spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, the airports slated for concession are Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport, Aminu Kano International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Keyamo thanked IATA for its interest in offering advisory support, noting that the concession process is crucial for addressing infrastructure deficiencies in Nigeria’s aviation sector. He emphasized that the move would enhance efficiency and service delivery.
"With Nigeria’s strategic location, the country is well-positioned to become a major aviation hub for Africa and the world," said Keyamo. He encouraged both domestic and international investors to explore the opportunities in the aviation sector, highlighting its potential for growth.
The minister also urged IATA to engage other potential investors, assuring them that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to modernizing Nigeria’s aviation industry to meet global standards. He pointed to recent positive developments, such as the return of Italian Airlines and the UAE's airline, as signs of progress in the sector.
Keyamo reaffirmed the government's commitment to opening up the market to all operators, signaling a transformation in the industry.