Nigerian Govt. Denies Finalizing 80-year Concession Deal for Enugu Airport, Says No Fixed Agreement Approved Yet

The Federal Government of Nigeria rejected the reports affirming that it has concluded a final agreement for a long -term concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, describing speculation – in particular around an alleged 80 -year lease – as “without foundation and inactive”.

In a statement published on Monday, Tunde Moshood, the special media and communications advisor to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said the ministry had not signed any agreement on the airport concession, even if it is true that the government examines several proposals to privatize the management of five major airports, including Enugu.

“Our attention has been drawn to certain online reports / stories suggesting that a certain long period of concession has been agreed concerning Enugu international airport. These reports / stories are completely baseless and false,” the statement said.

MOSHOOD explained that if airport concession proposals are under examination, none has received final approval.

“At this stage, potential dealers have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. It is important to point out that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established no fixed period, “he said.

The Federal Aviation Ministry had previously listed Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu airports among those offered for concession within the framework of a wider framework of public-private partnership (PPP). The ministry has reaffirmed that this strategy aims to improve the quality of services and reduce the financial burden of maintaining these facilities, many of which are not profitable.

Financial pressure behind the dealership push

While public debate has largely focused on concessions policy, especially in the Southeast, the government insists that the initiative is not new or politically motivated. According to the ministry, the plan dates back to previous administrations and is motivated by the harsh financial reality that most Nigeria airports operate at a loss and strongly depend on federal subsidies to survive.

This financial tension forced the government to explore models of private sector participation to modernize and maintain airport operations in accordance with international standards.

“This is a proactive measure to ensure that these vital installations can comply with and maintain international standards, taking into account the growing financial requirements of their operations,” said the Declaration of the Ministry.

But Monday’s clarifications also seem to be a response to growing public suspicions and backlash after the reports began to circulate that a 80 -year -old concession had already been quietly approved for Enugu airport. The idea of ​​a long -term agreement without public contribution has raised concerns about transparency, equity and federal commitment to regional development.

Although the ministry has underlined its commitment to transparency and responsibility in all concession agreements, the episode raises more in-depth questions about how Nigeria communicates and executes public-private partnerships in the critical sectors. Public distrust is often triggered by the poor government’s consultation assessment and the lack of coherent disclosure around concession agreements.

The case of Enugu airport shows that even speculation, if it is not quickly countered, can derail or complicate efforts to attract private investments. It also reveals the sensitivity of infrastructure decisions in regions that feel marginalized by federal projects and allowances.

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, previously committed to restoring confidence in the process by ensuring that all concession decisions are in accordance with a regular procedure and carried out with “integrity and in a framework at the national level”.

Why this counts for the digital and economic future of Nigeria

The airport concession saga also highlights a more important economic problem, Nigeria’s struggle to modernize its infrastructure without paralyzing public finances. In many regions of the world, airports serve as bridges not only for people, but also for trade, technology and investment – something that Keyamo seems to try to reproduce in Nigeria with concessions.

However, the controversy surrounding the duration of concessions highlights the fundamental challenges of the Nigerian political system. They include how to attract private investments in essential infrastructure without triggering fears of exploitation, marginalization and corruption.

For regions like the Southeast, of which residents have long requested a more equitable federal infrastructure, any sign of exclusion or secret feeds a historic story of negligence.