Enugu Airport Becomes Nigeria’s First Fully Concession
The Federal Government has formally handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to a private concessionaire under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership agreement, making it the first Nigerian international airport to be fully concessioned.
The move is being described as a major milestone for the South-East and Nigeria’s aviation sector.
For years, successive governments talked about full concession of some of the nation’s international airports, but were not actualised.
On Friday, that idea became reality for the first time as the Federal Government signed and exchanged concession documents, formally handing over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, said previous attempts at airports’ concessions struggled to attract investors, noting that under the current administration, airports such as Enugu and Port Harcourt have become attractive investment destinations.
Governor Peter Mbah described the handover as the beginning of a new chapter in unlocking the economic potential of Enugu and the South-East, while commending President Bola Tinubu for ensuring the region is not left out in the modernisation of critical national infrastructure.
Both the Federal and Enugu State Governments are dismissing fears of possible job losses, insisting that the concession is designed to attract investment, create more opportunities, improve efficiency and position the airport as a stronger gateway to the South-East.