The Federal Government has officially handed over the operations of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited, bringing to a close nearly two decades of efforts to concession the airport.
The handover ceremony took place on Thursday at the airport's new terminal, with aviation stakeholders, government officials, and representatives of the concessionaire in attendance.
Among those present were the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aero Alliance Limited, Saleem Aman Ullah Abdulhussain.
According to a statement issued by the minister's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the concession represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government's drive to modernise airport infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and attract greater private sector investment into Nigeria's aviation industry.
Speaking during the event, Keyamo described the concession as a landmark achievement, noting that plans to concession the airport had remained unresolved for about 20 years.
"This concession plan has been on for about twenty years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," the minister said.
He explained that investors had previously concentrated on Lagos, Abuja, and Kano airports, with little interest in Enugu and Port Harcourt.
"Today, Enugu has been successfully concessioned, and Port Harcourt will also be handed over within the next few weeks," he added.
Keyamo said the successful completion of the Enugu airport concession has strengthened investor confidence, revealing that preparations are already underway for bids on three additional airports across the country.
The minister also praised Governor Peter Mbah for his leadership and efforts in attracting investors to the project.
"Despite belonging to a different political party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed me to give him every necessary support," Keyamo said.
"He brought investors to the table, and we have found in Governor Peter Mbah the perfect partner for this project."
He assured airport workers that their jobs and welfare would be protected under the concession arrangement but stressed that the new management would prioritise efficiency, accountability, and improved service delivery.
"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 said.
Keyamo urged Aero Alliance to justify the confidence reposed in it by the Federal Government, noting that the company's performance would serve as a benchmark for future airport concessions in Nigeria.
Enugu signs MoU with China for direct flights
The minister also announced that the Enugu State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate direct flights between Enugu and Guangzhou, China, as part of efforts to boost trade, tourism, and investment in the South-East.
Following his remarks, the concession documents were signed, and operational control of the airport was formally transferred to Aero Alliance Limited.
Governor Peter Mbah described the concession as a transformative development that aligns with the state's vision of positioning Enugu as a leading aviation, logistics, and investment hub in West Africa.
The Federal Government had earlier signed the concession agreement with Aero Alliance for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport on January 22, paving the way for Thursday's formal handover.
