President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive prohibiting the sale or transfer of any properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), particularly those situated within or around airport premises across the country.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Keyamo explained that the President’s order overrides any past attempts by previous administrations to sell or liquidate FAAN assets, emphasizing that such properties are strategic national assets critical to aviation operations and public safety.
“These properties will not be handed over to private entities. If anyone thinks they’ve acquired one, they should reconsider,” the minister warned.
He further noted that certain facilities within airports, such as staff housing for firefighters and air traffic controllers, must remain public property to ensure quick emergency responses and operational efficiency.
At the same FEC meeting, eight key initiatives aimed at improving safety, technology, and efficiency within Nigeria’s aviation industry received approval.
Among the projects endorsed were the procurement and maintenance of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems for the five major international airports, Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
The Council also approved the deployment of Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) infrastructure nationwide, alongside 14 new Very High Frequency (VHF) remote communication units for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to strengthen air navigation and communication reliability.
To comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, FEC further approved the purchase of 15 specialised airport rescue and firefighting trucks for deployment across Nigeria’s major airports.
Keyamo also announced that NAMA will soon relocate to a purpose-built headquarters in Abuja, ending its current lease of private office space, which he said posed security and operational risks for sensitive command functions.
The FEC also endorsed an economic viability study for the planned privatisation of Port Harcourt International Airport’s operations, as part of the administration’s efforts to attract private investment into the sector.
According to Keyamo, investor interest has surged under the current leadership:
“Before our tenure, interest was nonexistent. Today, more than six firms are vying for the opportunity,” he said, assuring that the process will not result in staff layoffs.
The Council approved the rollout of biometric passenger verification systems integrated with National Identification Numbers (NIN) at all airports. The initiative aims to reduce identity fraud and enhance security.
“Far too many passengers use bogus IDs. This technology will verify identities in real time,” the minister explained.
Additionally, the FEC validated provisions in the 2024 aviation budget for runway illumination upgrades at selected airports.
The enhancement will extend airport operating hours from 6 p.m. to around 10 or 11 p.m., boosting flight schedules and airline profitability.
“Some airports currently close at dusk due to inadequate lighting. These improvements will allow round-the-clock operations,” Keyamo added.
He also appealed to aviation unions to support the reforms, stressing that while his ministry remains committed to protecting workers’ interests, executive decisions must take precedence.
“I’m a labour-friendly minister,” Keyamo said, “but labour organisations cannot override executive directives.”
