The Federal Government has officially concessioned the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), marking a major milestone in its drive to modernise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and attract private investment into the sector.
The concession agreement was signed on Thursday at the airport’s new terminal by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The agreement transfers the operation and management of the airport to Aero Alliance Limited, making it one of Nigeria’s first airport concessionaires under the Federal Government’s renewed airport reform programme.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Keyamo described the concession as a breakthrough after more than two decades of unsuccessful attempts to attract private investors to the airport.
According to him, previous concession plans failed because investors concentrated their interests on airports in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, while Enugu and Port Harcourt received little attention.
“This concession programme has been on the table for about 20 years, but it has only become a reality under the administration of President Bola 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 said.
Keyamo noted that the successful transaction has boosted investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector, revealing that bids are already being prepared for the concession of three additional airports.
He urged Aero Alliance Limited to deliver efficient, world-class airport operations, stressing that its performance would serve as a benchmark for future airport concessions across the country.
The minister also commended the Enugu State Government for its support in attracting investors to the project, describing the partnership as a model for future collaboration between the federal and state governments.
He further disclosed that the Enugu State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish direct flight services between Enugu and Guangzhou, China, a move expected to strengthen trade, tourism and investment links between the South-East and Asia.
Addressing concerns about the welfare of airport workers, Keyamo said aviation labour unions had initially challenged the concession programme in court but later withdrew their suits after extensive engagement with the Federal Government.
He assured employees that their rights and welfare would be protected under the new arrangement while emphasising that private-sector participation would improve operational efficiency, accountability and service delivery.
Governor Peter Mbah described the concession as a significant milestone in the state’s vision of transforming Enugu into a regional aviation, logistics and investment hub for West Africa.
According to him, improved airport infrastructure and efficient management will stimulate economic activities, attract more investors and enhance connectivity for businesses and travellers.
The concession forms part of the Federal Government’s broader aviation modernisation programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to leverage private capital to upgrade airport infrastructure, improve passenger experience and enhance the commercial viability of Nigeria’s airports.
Earlier this year, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) confirmed that the concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport had been vetted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, paving the way for its execution.
The Enugu State Government had also announced in 2025 that the concession process was more than 70 per cent complete and projected its conclusion before the end of the second quarter of 2025.
With the successful handover of Enugu Airport, attention is now shifting to the planned concession of the Port Harcourt International Airport as the Federal Government deepens reforms aimed at building a more efficient, investor-friendly and commercially sustainable aviation industry.
