FG hands over Akanu Ibiam airport to private company after 20 years of negotiation
The federal government has formally handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to Aero Alliance Limited, concluding a concession process that officials say had lingered for nearly 20 years.
The transfer was announced on Thursday during a ceremony held at the airport’s newly built terminal, attended by aviation stakeholders, government officials, and representatives of the concessionaire.
Those present at the event included Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development; Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu State; Jobson Ewalefoh, director-general of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC); and Saleem Aman Ullah Abdulhussain, managing director and chief executive officer of Aero Alliance Limited.
In a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the aviation minister, the federal government described the concession as part of broader efforts to modernise airport infrastructure, improve efficiency, and attract private investment into Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking during the handover, Keyamo said the concession represented a major milestone, noting that previous attempts to concession the airport had stalled for about two decades.
According to the minister, investor interest had traditionally focused on airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, while facilities in Enugu and Port Harcourt attracted little attention.
He added that the successful completion of the Enugu concession has now encouraged further private sector interest, revealing that Port Harcourt airport would also be concessioned in the coming weeks.
Keyamo said bids were already being prepared for three additional airports across the country, citing renewed investor confidence in the aviation sector.
The minister also praised Governor Mbah for his role in facilitating the project and attracting investors, despite political differences between the state and federal governments.
He assured airport workers that their jobs and welfare would remain protected under the new management arrangement but stressed that operations would now be driven by efficiency and accountability.
“This airport will now be privately managed with a strong focus on efficiency, accountability and service delivery,” he said, adding that diligent workers had nothing to fear from the transition.
Keyamo urged Aero Alliance Limited to deliver on expectations, saying the company’s performance would shape future airport concession arrangements in Nigeria.
He also disclosed that the Enugu State Government had signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing direct flight connections between Enugu and Guangzhou in China to boost trade, tourism, and investment in the south-east region.
Following the minister’s remarks, concession documents were signed and operational control of the airport was officially transferred to Aero Alliance Limited.
Governor Mbah described the concession as a significant development that aligns with the state government’s ambition to position Enugu as a leading aviation, logistics, and investment destination in West Africa.
The federal government had earlier signed the concession agreement for the airport with Aero Alliance on January 22.
