The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to driving economic growth through robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) reforms in the aviation and aerospace sectors.
Speaking at the 2025 Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE) in Lagos on Wednesday, July 16, Dr Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, outlined several key initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. These include airport terminal concessions in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, as well as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangements for cargo terminals, maintenance hangars, and airport hotels. Kana highlighted that successful models, such as the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2) concession, are benchmarks for PPP excellence in West Africa.
Dr Kana noted that collaborations with global institutions like ICAO and the African Development Bank have played a pivotal role in financing aviation infrastructure without burdening public finances. He emphasised the importance of legislative and regulatory reforms, a stable investment climate, and improved safety infrastructure to attract and retain private sector investment. The ministry, in partnership with the Finance Ministry, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), has also streamlined processes to reduce investor risk. Looking ahead, Nigeria is exploring PPP frameworks for advanced projects such as air navigation services, aerospace technology parks, and aerotropolis developments to position the country as a regional aviation and space science hub.
In his address, ABSE Managing Director Fortune Idu raised concerns over unregulated land use around airports, noting that the proliferation of tanker farms and scattered government structures hampers airport development. He called for a thorough land-use assessment to inform a more strategic airport master plan and stimulate airport-linked economic zones. Idu urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take the lead in land-use planning to unlock the full potential of aerotropolis projects. The 10th edition of ABSE, themed Investment Opportunities in Airport Public-Private Partnerships, reflects growing momentum in aligning Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure with global best practices and economic aspirations.