President Bola Tinubu has issued a decisive directive prohibiting the sale or transfer of any properties owned by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) situated within or around airport premises nationwide.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a media briefing at the State House following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Keyamo emphasised that the presidential order overrides all previous attempts by past administrations to dispose of such assets, describing the facilities as critical national infrastructure that must remain under public ownership.
He stressed that certain categories of aviation personnel, such as firefighters and air traffic controllers, require on-site accommodation to ensure swift emergency response, reinforcing the rationale for preserving the properties.
“These properties will not be handed over to private entities,” Keyamo declared. “If anyone believes they have acquired one, they should reconsider.”
The minister further disclosed that the FEC approved eight key projects aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aviation sector, focusing on safety enhancement, technological upgrades, infrastructure development, and improved security.
Among the approved projects are contracts for maintenance and technical support of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems at the nation’s five major international airports: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
The council also sanctioned the deployment of advanced Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) communication infrastructure nationwide, alongside the installation of 14 Very High Frequency (VHF) remote communication systems for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to boost air navigation reliability.
To meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, the FEC approved the procurement of 15 specialised airport rescue and firefighting vehicles for the same major hubs.
Keyamo further revealed that NAMA will soon relocate from its rented office space in Abuja to a purpose-built headquarters, citing security risks associated with operating sensitive command centres in commercial buildings.
Additionally, the council endorsed a study assessing the economic feasibility of privatising operations at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
According to the minister, private sector interest in the initiative has risen significantly under the current administration. “Before now, there was no interest whatsoever. Today, more than six firms are competing for participation,” he said, assuring workers’ unions that no job losses would occur as a result of the concession.
The FEC also approved the introduction of a biometric passenger identification system integrated with the National Identity Number (NIN) database to combat identity fraud and strengthen security screening at airports.
“Too many passengers travel with fake identities. This system will allow real-time verification,” Keyamo explained.
Furthermore, the council ratified provisions in the 2024 budget for runway illumination projects at select airports to facilitate night operations and enhance airline profitability.
“Some airports currently shut down at 6 p.m. due to lack of lighting. With these installations, operations can extend to 10 or 11 p.m.,” the minister said.
Keyamo appealed to aviation unions to support the reform agenda, reiterating his commitment to workers’ welfare but maintaining that “labour organisations cannot override executive directives.”
