The federal executive council (FEC) has approved contracts worth over N900 billion for infrastructure upgrades in the country’s aviation sector.

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation, announced the approvals after the council’s meeting on Thursday, commending President Bola Tinubu for prioritising the sector.

“Today, it was the turn of aviation to get the kind attention of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, and we are very grateful that His Excellency the President decided to turn his attention to aviation for massive infrastructural upgrades across the country,” he said.

Keyamo said the centrepiece of the approvals is the full rehabilitation, upgrade, and modernisation of terminal one of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The politician said the project would strip the terminal down to its basic structure and rebuild all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

“We have decided to strip it down to only the carcass, and then do the complete M and E again,” he said.

Keyamo said the overhaul — funded through the renewed hope infrastructure development fund — has been awarded to the CCECC, which also constructed the new Lagos terminal two.

The minister said terminal two will also undergo expansion, including the construction of a new apron, access roads, bridges, and associated works.

“The total cost for all these rehabilitations of Lagos airports will come up to N712,258,565,482.18, with a completion timeframe of 22 months,” he said.

Keyamo said the FEC also approved a major upgrade to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, covering the rehabilitation of runways and taxiways and upgrading airfield ground lighting to category 2 standard.

He described the funding as one of the largest single investments in airport infrastructure in years.

According to him, the N46.39 billion project will be delivered in 24 weeks to improve flight safety, especially during the hazy harmattan season.

Beyond runway improvements, Keyamo said the council approved a 14.6 kilometre metal perimeter fence at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, with advanced intrusion detection systems, CCTV, solar floodlights, and an operational patrol road.

He recalled a past incident where a plane collided with a deer due to inadequate fencing, stressing the urgency of the security upgrades.

“The type of sophisticated fence and equipment we are bringing in includes a modern command center that can detect any movement near the fence without human patrol,” the minister said.

“Anyone or anything close to the fence will be detected immediately, and the location pinpointed.”

The minister said the N49.89 billion project will take 24 months to complete.

Port Harcourt International Airport is also expected to benefit from a runway and taxiway rehabilitation project, as well as airfield lighting upgrades to CAT 2 standard.

He said the N42.14 billion project will improve safety and operational efficiency, especially in poor weather conditions.

He said additional amendments to runways 18 left and 36 right, and portions of taxiways B and C, were approved.

Keyamo said the upgrades include CAT 2 LED airfield lighting systems, adding that the N44.13 billion project will last 30 weeks and run alongside terminal one reconstruction, creating a comprehensive airport upgrade.

Keyamo said the council approved the reconstruction and expansion of apron areas at the domestic terminal of the Lagos airport, totalling over 82,000 square metres.

He said the N24.27 billion project, scheduled for completion in about 17 and a half months, will increase aircraft parking space and improve traffic management.

FEC APPROVES 30-YEAR CONCESSION FOR ENUGU AIRPORT

Keyamo also said the council approved the full business case for a 30-year concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

He said the deal covers both the airport and its unfinished cargo terminal, adding that it would address financial burdens associated with smaller airports.

“Most of the smaller airports apart from the major ones are running at a loss. The profits we make from Kano, Lagos, and Abuja often go into keeping these others alive,” the minister said.

“That has always been the plan of this administration — to concession some airports to private individuals and entities so they can run them profitably, especially the non-aeronautical parts such as conference centers and shopping malls.

“These non-aeronautical ventures generate as much, if not more, profit than aeronautical operations in modern airports around the world.”

He said the concession will convert loss-making airports into profit-generating assets that benefit both the government and communities.

“I am not someone who ignores the unions. From the very start, I directed that they must be part of the committee, so at every point, the unions have been fully carried along in this process,” he said.

Keyamo added that details of the Enugu airport concession agreement, including members of the consortium and financial terms, will be disclosed soon.