The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, has announced that five major Nigerian airports are set for the concession as part of the government’s efforts to revitalise the country’s aviation sector.
This announcement came during a meeting with the regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The airports slated for concession are Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Port Harcourt International Airport; Aminu Kano International Airport and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Keyamo expressed gratitude to IATA for showing interest in playing an advisory role in the concession process, stating that the timing was crucial as the initiative is about to commence.
“The level of infrastructure decay within the aviation industry calls for urgent action. Nigeria is geographically positioned as a major hub for aviation in Africa and globally. This makes it essential that we take bold steps to modernize our facilities,” Keyamo said.
The minister further highlighted that the Nigerian aviation sector is ripe for both local and foreign investments. He urged investors to seize the opportunity and assured them that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to positioning the aviation industry to meet global standards.
Keyamo noted that the return of Italian airlines and the United Arab Emirates’ operations signal a new era for the Nigerian aviation sector. He assured that the government is working on several initiatives to open up the market for more operators, further enhancing the sector’s growth.
IATA’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi reiterated IATA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in its aviation concession process. He emphasised that IATA’s role would be strictly advisory and at no financial cost to Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a big market that no investor can afford to overlook, and we are here to support its aviation industry’s growth,” Al-Awadhi said. He also explained that IATA, as a global trade association for the air transport industry, promotes safety, security, and efficiency in air transport. He proposed organising a workshop to educate stakeholders on the importance of the concession process, noting that concession differs significantly from privatisation.
Al-Awadhi also mentioned that IATA is on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit all aircraft operating in Nigeria. This, he said, is aimed at ensuring that the country’s aviation sector remains safe and compliant with global standards.
As Nigeria prepares for this major concession initiative, the government and IATA are working closely to ensure that the process runs smoothly, attracting the right investment and expertise to transform the country’s aviation landscape.
