The Federal Government on Thursday formally transferred the management of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a concession agreement expected to transform the facility into a major aviation, logistics and commercial hub for the South-East.
The handover marks the completion of a long-awaited public-private partnership arrangement under which the concessionaire will finance, rehabilitate, expand, operate and manage the airport in line with international standards.
The development also paves the way for the commencement of direct cargo flights between Enugu and Guangzhou, China, within the next few months, a move expected to boost trade and economic activities across the region.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the airport’s international terminal, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the concession as a landmark achievement made possible through the collaboration between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
According to him, previous attempts by successive administrations to concession federal airports failed to attract investors to Enugu and Port Harcourt, as bidders focused on more commercially established airports.
“For 20 years, various governments have tried to concession some of our airports because of the belief that the private sector would run them more professionally and in a more commercially driven way.
“During the time of the previous administration when almost all the airports were advertised for concession, all the bidders avoided Enugu and Port Harcourt airports. There was not one bidder for Enugu and Port Harcourt. Everybody was rushing Lagos, Kano, and Abuja because many people want food that is ready.
“However, under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and under the visionary leadership of people like Dr. Peter Mbah, the reverse is the case.
“Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone,” he said.
Keyamo credited Mbah’s vision and determination for helping to attract investment to the airport project.
“Dr. Mbah went straight to Mr. President a few weeks after his inauguration and said, ‘This is my plan for the airport.’ The President minuted and said that we should give him all the assistance he needs to turn Enugu into an aviation and investment hub.
“Mbah started with Enugu Air, and now he has brought in capital, brought in investors for the airport.
“So, I just want to say that Dr. Peter Mbah came with a plan for Enugu. He did not come and begin to assess the situation. He is a governor who came into office with a plan. And today, we are glad that we have found in him the perfect partnership we need between the federal and the state governments,” the minister added.
He expressed confidence in Aero Alliance’s ability to deliver on its mandate, saying, “We expect Aero Alliance Limited to discharge its responsibilities with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, operational excellence, and commitment to safety.”
Keyamo also assured airport workers that the concession would create employment opportunities rather than lead to job losses.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Jobson Ewalefor, described the handover as a historic milestone for Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda.
He attributed the successful transaction largely to Governor Mbah’s credibility and relentless pursuit of investment opportunities.
“That we are here today is because of the reputation of the governor. His reputation attracted the capital. Governor Peter Mbah is a miraculous governor. He has been coming to Abuja all the time for this. You can see when someone is prepared. You can see that he is very strategic and methodical in what he is doing.
“The Enugu Air and an agreement being signed from Guangzhou to Enugu are enough traffic to create viability,” Ewalefor said.
Governor Mbah, meanwhile, described the airport concession as a game-changing development that would unlock fresh economic opportunities for the South-East and position Enugu as a major gateway for trade, investment and tourism.
“It opens a new chapter of economic possibilities because businesses across our region have for long grappled with logistics constraints that increased costs, lengthened delivery timelines, and limited competitiveness.
“We hope that future generations will look back to this day as the moment when Akanu Ibiam International Airport began its transformation into a truly world-class gateway serving the South East, connecting Nigeria to the world and opening new pathways to prosperity for millions of our people.
“So, today is a dream come true as we herald the promise of a South East that will be more connected, more competitive, more prosperous, and more visible on the global stage,” he said.
The governor also commended the Aero Alliance consortium for investing in the airport and urged more investors to take advantage of the growing opportunities in Enugu State.
Managing Director of Aero Alliance, Saleem Hussain, assured stakeholders that the company would leverage its extensive experience in the aviation sector to reposition the airport as one of Africa’s leading aviation destinations.
He said the consortium’s focus would be on connectivity, cargo operations, logistics, passenger experience, commercial development, technology and operational excellence.
“We’ll transform AIIA into one of Africa’s leading regional aviation, logistics, and commercial hubs,” Hussain pledged.
Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Enugu State Government also pledged their support to ensure the success of the concession, which is expected to drive economic growth, improve regional connectivity and strengthen the South-East’s role in international commerce.
