President Bola Tinubu has approved the privatisation of operations at the Port Harcourt International Airport and imposed a nationwide ban on the sale or transfer of properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this after Thursday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja.
According to Keyamo, the President directed a total prohibition on the disposal or transfer of FAAN-owned properties located within or around airport premises, describing them as essential for accommodating critical staff such as firefighters and air traffic controllers whose proximity to the airports is vital during emergencies.
“These properties will not be handed to private individuals or firms. Anyone claiming ownership should think again,” the minister warned.
While FAAN’s assets remain protected, the FEC approved an economic viability study to guide the privatisation of Port Harcourt International Airport, signalling a measured move toward private sector involvement in airport management.
Keyamo noted a surge in investor interest under the current administration. “Before we came in, there was little to no interest. Now, over six firms are competing for participation,” he said, assuring that no FAAN staff would lose their jobs as a result of the privatisation.
The Council also approved several other key projects in the aviation sector, including safety upgrades, technology improvements, and enhanced airspace communications systems.
These include contracts for the maintenance and technical support of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems in Nigeria’s five international airports — Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
Additionally, the FEC approved the deployment of Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) infrastructure, installation of 14 VHF remote communication stations for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and procurement of 15 specialised firefighting trucks to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Keyamo announced that NAMA would soon relocate to a new purpose-built headquarters in Abuja, ending years of tenancy in commercial buildings.
To boost airport security and efficiency, the Council also approved a biometric identity verification system linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) to detect fake passenger IDs in real time.
Furthermore, funding was approved for runway lighting projects at several airports to extend their operational hours. “Some airports currently shut down at 6 p.m. due to lack of illumination. With this upgrade, they’ll operate until 10 or 11 p.m.,” Keyamo said.
The minister appealed to aviation unions to support the ongoing reforms, reiterating his commitment to workers’ welfare but stressing that “labour unions cannot override executive directives.”
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