The Federal Government has officially signed off the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for concession under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement to Aero Alliance Limited.

The landmark ceremony was held at the airport’s new terminal.

The event marks another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising airport infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency, and attracting private sector investment into Nigeria’s aviation sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, a statement by the ministry disclosed on Thursday.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, described the concession as a historic breakthrough, revealing that plans to concession the airport had lingered for over two decades without success.

“This concession plan has been on for about twenty years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 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 stated.

He disclosed that the success recorded with the Enugu concession has sparked renewed investor confidence, with bids already being prepared for three additional airports across the country.

The minister commended Governor Peter Mbah for his visionary leadership and strategic role in attracting investors to the project.

“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.

Speaking on labour concerns, the minister assured airport workers that their interests and welfare remain protected under the concession arrangement.

“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 One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions.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. 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,” he added.

Keyamo further charged Aero Alliance Limited to justify the confidence reposed in it by the Federal Government, noting that, as one of the pioneer airport concessionaires in Nigeria, its performance would set the benchmark for future concessions nationwide.

He also disclosed that the Enugu State Government had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at facilitating a direct flight connection between Guangzhou, China, and Enugu, a development expected to boost trade, tourism, and investment opportunities in the South-East region.

The official handover ceremony took place with the signing of the concession documents and the formal transfer of operational and management responsibilities of the airport to Aero Alliance Limited.

In his remarks, Governor Peter Mbah described the concession as a transformative development that aligns with the state’s economic vision of positioning Enugu as a major aviation, logistics, and investment hub in West Africa.

“The concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport ushers in a new era of collaboration between government and the private sector, setting the stage for enhanced infrastructure development, world-class passenger experience, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry,” the statement signed by Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, added.

The event attracted top government officials and key stakeholders in the aviation industry, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Kambari, represented by Peter Vembe; and the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by Henry Agbebire.

Others are the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh; Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Jummia Adaramola; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aero Alliance Limited, Saleem Abdulhussain.

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