The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that five major airports in Nigeria are set for concession.
The airports include Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport, Aminu Kano International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
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Keyamo made this known during a meeting with Kamil Awdhi, the Regional Vice President (Africa and Middle East) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. A statement by the ministry’s spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi, confirmed this.
The minister expressed his gratitude to IATA for offering an advisory role to Nigeria at a critical moment when the airport concession process is about to commence. He emphasized that Nigeria is an aviation hub for Africa and beyond, but the current state of infrastructure in the sector requires urgent attention.
“The level of infrastructure decay within the aviation industry calls for urgent action. I encourage investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria’s aviation industry, which is ripe for both local and foreign investment,” Keyamo said.
He also appealed to IATA to inform other investors that the Tinubu administration is making significant efforts to elevate Nigeria’s aviation industry to global standards.
Awdhi acknowledged Nigeria’s importance as a major market and reiterated IATA’s willingness to support the country’s aviation sector. He added that IATA is on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit all aircraft flying in Nigeria.
In a related development, Keyamo announced that the Muhammadu Buhari Airport in Maiduguri, Borno State, has been upgraded to international status. The airport will begin full international operations on January 1, 2025. This was revealed during a visit from Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.
“The establishment of an international airport in Maiduguri is strategic for receiving international flights from the Middle East. It has the capacity, size, population, and infrastructure to function as an international airport,” Keyamo said.
Governor Zulum commended President Tinubu and Keyamo for their efforts in transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector and assured the minister that governors in the Northeast would provide the necessary political support to ensure the smooth operation of the airport.
Zulum also praised the government’s overall progress in improving the aviation sector, noting advancements in safety and service delivery. He urged the Federal Government to expedite plans for establishing a national carrier to further boost the industry.
