The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has debunked claims of an 80-year concession deal for Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, by the Federal Government, describing it as entirely false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo clarified that while the government is indeed in the process of considering concession arrangements for five major airports across Nigeria, no final decisions—especially regarding the duration—have been made.
He stressed that discussions around airport concessions are still ongoing and that all proposals submitted by potential concessionaires are currently undergoing rigorous evaluation. Keyamo further explained that any decision on concession terms would still need to pass through multiple levels of scrutiny, including a review by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) before final approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Reacting to the viral reports, the Minister stated, “Our attention has been drawn to certain online stories suggesting that a lengthy concession period has been agreed upon for Enugu International Airport. These claims are not only unfounded but also entirely false.”
He revealed that the drive for airport concessions predates his administration and is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure to meet international standards. He noted that many airports in the country are currently running at a financial loss and depend heavily on government subsidies to remain operational, hence the need to explore private sector participation.
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Keyamo emphasized that while concession proposals have been submitted—including varying durations—the Ministry has not committed to any specific time frame. “It is important to clarify that no fixed duration has been agreed upon,” he stated.
The Federal Government’s goal, according to the Minister, is to ensure transparency and due diligence in the airport concession process, with the ultimate aim of revitalizing the aviation sector and attracting credible investments.
The clarification comes amid growing public discourse and online speculation, with many Nigerians questioning the rationale behind an alleged 80-year concession term. The Minister’s firm rebuttal appears designed to restore public confidence and reassure stakeholders that no premature agreements have been made.
As the review process continues, the Ministry urges the public to disregard unverified reports and await official updates on the outcome of the airport concession deliberations.
