FG Hands Over Enugu Airport to Aero Alliance on 30-Year Deal

Enugu Airport concession begins as FG hands Akanu Ibiam to Aero Alliance on 30-year PPP to drive Southeast growth.

Aero Alliance takes over Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu during FG 30-year concession handover ceremony

Enugu – The Akanu Ibiam International Airport has always been more than a runway for the Southeast. For traders in Onitsha, manufacturers in Aba, and families across Enugu, it is a direct link to commerce, jobs and new investment.

That link entered a new chapter on Thursday as the Federal Government formally handed the facility to private operator Aero Alliance Limited.

The handover marks the start of Aero Alliance's stewardship under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership with the Federal Government. The concession agreement was signed on January 22, 2026, between the Ministry of Aviation and Aero Alliance who ‎Saleem Aman Ullah Abdulhussain serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, after the Federal Executive Council approved the business case in July 2025. The deal is designed to inject private capital and efficiency into the airport's operations.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, who presided over the signing, said the move will raise Nigerian airports to global standards without burdening the national budget. He noted that the partnership should improve passenger experience and boost cargo, while final details on security charges and the financial model are being fast-tracked.

For Enugu State, the concession is strategic. Governor Peter Mbah has described the airport as central to unlocking the region's economic potential. At the handover, he highlighted the project's capacity to transform the Southeast into a global aviation hub, with Aero Alliance pledging to enhance infrastructure and logistics. Officials expect the deal to create jobs and strengthen regional connectivity.

‎Saleem Aman Ullah Abdulhussain, who serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Minister Keyamo called the transfer historic, saying it will boost economic opportunities for the Southeast. Under the arrangement, Aero Alliance takes day-to-day operations, while the Federal Government keeps regulatory oversight through FAAN and NCAA.

Stakeholders see this as a landmark after years of rehabilitation and disruptions at Akanu Ibiam. If the upgrades hold, more airlines could return, cargo movement from the Southeast will improve, and Enugu's profile as a business and travel destination will rise.

The state government says it will keep pursuing partnerships in transport and infrastructure. The focus, it insists, is clear: build a more connected, competitive and prosperous future where businesses move faster and people travel easier.