The Federal Government has formally handed over the operation and management of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership concession arrangement.
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The concession was signed off by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a ceremony held at the airport’s new terminal, marking the formal transfer of operational and management responsibilities to the concessionaire.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
The ceremony was attended by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; representatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission; the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Aero Alliance Limited.
Also present were the Director-General of the ICRC, Jobson Ewalefoh, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aero Alliance, Saleem Aman Ullah Abdulhussain.
According to the statement, the concession forms part of the Federal Government’s plan to modernise airport infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and attract private-sector investment into Nigeria’s aviation industry under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo described the concession as a historic breakthrough, saying previous attempts to concession the airport had stalled for about 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,” Keyamo 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 and Port Harcourt will also be handed over within the next few weeks.”
The minister said the successful concession of the Enugu airport had already boosted investor confidence, with bids being prepared for three additional airports across the country.
Keyamo commended Governor Mbah for what he described as his visionary leadership and strategic role in attracting investors to the project.
He said although Mbah belongs to a different political party, President Tinubu directed that he be given all necessary support because of the importance of the project to the South-East and Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“Governor Peter Mbah came into the office with a clear plan. Despite belonging to a different political party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed me to give him every necessary support. He brought investors to the table, and we have found in Governor Peter Mbah the perfect partner for this project,” Keyamo said.
Addressing concerns raised by aviation workers, Keyamo assured them that their welfare and interests would be protected under the concession arrangement.
He said labour unions that had earlier challenged the airport concession programme in court had begun withdrawing their cases after understanding the government’s intentions.
“When we came into office, all aviation labour unions were in court challenging the concession programme. One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions. I want to assure workers that they are protected,” he said.
“However, it will no longer be business as usual. This airport will now be privately managed with a strong focus on efficiency, accountability and service delivery. Those who perform their duties diligently have nothing to fear.”
Keyamo urged Aero Alliance Limited to justify the confidence reposed in it by the Federal Government, stressing that its performance as one of Nigeria’s pioneer airport concessionaires would serve as a benchmark for future concessions.
The minister also disclosed that the Enugu State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing direct flight connectivity between Guangzhou, China, and Enugu.
He said the proposed direct route is expected to boost trade, tourism and investment opportunities in the South-East.
In his remarks, Mbah described the concession as a transformative development that aligns with his administration’s plan to position Enugu as a major aviation, logistics and investment hub in West Africa.
The governor said the improved management and development of the airport would support the state’s economic growth agenda by expanding trade, tourism, cargo movement and regional connectivity.
The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport followed a process that received a major boost on July 31, 2025, when the Federal Executive Council approved the full business case for the airport’s concession to Aero Alliance Limited.
The Federal Government later signed the concession agreement with Aero Alliance on January 22, 2026, describing it as a key component of its strategy to modernise aviation infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
Under the arrangement, Aero Alliance Limited is expected to operate, maintain and upgrade the airport, while ownership remains with the Federal Government.
The project is part of a broader aviation reform programme aimed at attracting private investment, improving passenger experience, strengthening regional connectivity and supporting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
With the formal handover now completed, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport becomes one of the first airports under the current concession programme to be transferred to private management, while the Federal Government says Port Harcourt airport is expected to follow within weeks.
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