The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a series of major projects aimed at enhancing airport operations, aviation safety, and security across Nigeria’s airspace.
Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Keyamo disclosed that eight memos from his ministry were presented and all received approval.
Among the approvals, the Council ratified contracts for the maintenance and support services of airport management systems at the nation’s five international airports — Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
“These service providers have done exceptionally well over the years. We are simply continuing with trusted partners who understand the system,” Keyamo said.
He added that FEC also approved the procurement and installation of advanced tertiary power systems for airports and navigational aid stations under the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), covering 14 VHF remote stations nationwide, to ensure uninterrupted operations.
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In another development, approval was granted for the purchase of 15 airport rescue and firefighting vehicles to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.
Keyamo further announced that FEC approved the construction of a permanent headquarters for NAMA in Abuja, replacing the rented properties currently in use. “It is not ideal for a critical command and control center to operate from rented buildings. This new headquarters will provide a secure base for managing Nigeria’s airspace,” he said.
One of the most significant approvals, according to the Minister, was the exclusion of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) properties within and around airports from any form of privatisation or disposal.
He clarified that the move was necessary to prevent private individuals from occupying sensitive airport zones, originally reserved for technical and emergency staff. “We will not concede any such properties to private buyers. They are critical for airport safety and emergency response,” he said firmly.
Keyamo also revealed that FEC approved the business case for the concession of Port Harcourt International Airport, describing it as a turnaround from years of investor apathy. “Before now, no major company showed interest in Port Harcourt, but this time, over six investors expressed strong interest,” he said.
He reassured aviation unions that the airport concessioning process will not result in job losses. “No worker will lose his job as a result of these concessions. I am pro-union and open to dialogue, but unions will not dictate government policy,” he emphasized.
Additionally, FEC approved the concession of biometric verification systems at Nigerian airports, linking the National Identification Number (NIN) database to air travel systems for enhanced passenger identification and national security.
“This will end anonymous travel and ensure only verified passengers board aircraft. It’s a vital ICAO standard and will strengthen our national security,” the Minister explained.
The Council also approved lighting and earthing works at several airports to extend operating hours and allow night flights, thereby increasing revenue for local airlines. “Some airports close too early because of poor lighting. We’re fixing that so they can operate till 10 or 11 p.m.,” he said.
Keyamo concluded that the combined approvals demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s resolve to modernize the aviation sector, strengthen safety infrastructure, and attract sustainable private investment.