The Federal Government has signed a concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State, a move aimed at bringing in private sector investment to improve the airport and strengthen economic activities in the South East.
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission described the agreement as an important step in the government’s plan to use public-private partnerships to upgrade key national infrastructure and attract more business and travel to the region.
In a statement, the commission said the agreement was signed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government, while Aero Alliance Limited signed as the private company taking over the operation of the airport under the concession.
“The PPP agreement, signed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government and the concessionaire, Aero Alliance Limited, underscores the growing momentum of PPPs as a central pillar of infrastructure delivery under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.
The ICRC explained that the deal followed all required government procedures. It said the process included checking and approving the business plans, carrying out detailed background checks, holding negotiations, getting approval from the Federal Executive Council and having the agreement reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Justice before it was finally signed, in line with the law that set up the commission.
Speaking on the development, the Director General of ICRC, Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, said the signing shows that Nigeria is ready to allow more private companies to take part in building and managing public infrastructure. He said the deal marks the end of the negotiation stage and opens the way for full work to begin.
“This concession will strengthen the airport’s role as a vital gateway for the Southeast States by enhancing connectivity and providing essential links to domestic and international destinations—supporting tourism, trade and broader economic growth across the region,” he said.
Ewalefoh added that the agreement shows the Federal Government’s determination to attract private funding, improve services and make sure important national assets are managed in a way that will last for many years.
He said the Enugu airport project fits into the commission’s wider efforts to make partnership projects move faster and improve cooperation between government agencies so that development can reach more parts of the country.
He also explained that the ICRC, as the agency in charge of regulating public-private partnerships, made sure the entire process followed the right rules, gave good value for money and helped build confidence for investors.
The ICRC boss praised the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for what he described as strong efforts to position the state as a place for business and investment. He said leadership like this is important for delivering major development projects.
He encouraged other state governments to follow the example of states such as Enugu, Ondo, Cross River and Lagos, which he said are using partnerships with private companies to attract investment, speed up development and create economic opportunities for their people.
SOURCE: THENATION
