The Federal Government has officially handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement aimed at rehabilitating, expanding, and managing the airport in line with international standards.
Under the agreement, Aero Alliance Limited will finance, rehabilitate, expand, operate and manage the facility, with the objective of enhancing safety, operational efficiency and passenger experience while positioning the airport as a major aviation hub in the South-East.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the airport’s international terminal, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the concession as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to improve airport infrastructure through private sector participation.
Keyamo noted that previous attempts by successive administrations to concession airports across the country failed to attract investors to Enugu and Port Harcourt airports, despite strong interest in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano
Keyamo said, “For 20 years, various governments have tried to concession some of our airports because of the belief that the private sector would run them more professionally and in a more commercially driven way.
“During the previous administration, when almost all the airports were advertised for concession, all the bidders avoided Enugu and Port Harcourt airports. There was not one bidder for Enugu and Port Harcourt. Everybody was rushing to Lagos, Kano, and Abuja because many people wanted ready food.”
According to the minister, the situation has changed dramatically under the current administration, reflecting growing investor confidence in the economic prospects of the South-East.
“However, under the able leadership of President Bola Tinubu and under the visionary leadership of people like Dr Peter Mbah, the reverse is the case,” he said. “Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone.”
Speaking in a follow-up statement, the minister allayed labour unions’ concerns, assuring 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 One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions.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.
The minister further commended the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for driving the transformation of the airport and attracting investors to the project. He recalled that shortly after assuming office, the governor approached President Tinubu with a clear vision to develop Enugu into a major aviation and investment destination.
“Dr Peter Mbah went straight to Mr President a few weeks after his inauguration and said, ‘This is my plan for the airport.’ The President directed that we should give him all the assistance he needs to turn Enugu into an aviation and investment hub.
“Mbah started with Enugu Air, and now he has brought in capital and investors for the airport,” Keyamo added.