The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally signed a concession agreement for Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marking a significant step in its ongoing efforts to modernise the nation’s aviation infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
The signing took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2026, at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Abuja.
The agreement was executed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, and representatives of Aero Alliance, the airport’s concessionaire.
A statement issued on January 23, 2026, by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, confirmed the development. Officials from the Enugu State Government and senior executives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also attended the signing ceremony.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, Minister Keyamo described the signing as the culmination of a long and transparent process that commenced with approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 31, 2025.
He said the ministry, FAAN and Aero Alliance engaged in exhaustive negotiations, including wide-ranging consultations with aviation unions to ensure the protection of workers’ rights and welfare throughout the concession process.
Keyamo emphasised that aviation staff at the Enugu Airport will retain their jobs, with terms and conditions of employment preserved, and that no retrenchment has occurred as a result of the concession.
He said job security and staff welfare were central components of the concession framework and that workers had “not been short-changed in any way.”
The minister noted that while the main concession agreement is concluded, two operational issues remain to be finalised before full implementation: arrangements for security charges and an agreed financial model for the airport.
He said these matters are expected to be resolved in the coming weeks to ensure the smooth operationalisation of the concession.
The concession forms part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation sector reform agenda designed to attract private investment, modernise airport infrastructure, and enhance service delivery and passenger experience across Nigeria’s airports.
Officials at the ceremony expressed optimism that the arrangement will support regional connectivity, operational efficiency and economic growth in the South-East and beyond.
The Federal Government’s decision to concession the Enugu Airport aligns with previous reforms, including approvals for concessions of other major airports, reflecting a policy shift toward strengthening aviation infrastructure through structured partnerships with private sector operators.
Observers say the concession is expected to boost the airport’s competitiveness and reposition it as a key entry point in Nigeria’s aviation network, while contributing to broader efforts to revitalise air transport infrastructure nationwide.
