Photo File: President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a firm directive banning the sale or transfer of any properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) located within or around airport environments across the country.

The policy was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), during a post–Federal Executive Council (FEC) press briefing at the State House, Abuja.

Keyamo said the presidential order overrides all previous asset liquidation or concession efforts initiated by past administrations, stressing that FAAN’s land and facilities remain critical national assets that must stay under public ownership.

“These properties will not be handed over to private entities. If anyone thinks they’ve acquired one, they should reconsider,” the minister cautioned.

The minister explained that many of the affected sites were strategically reserved to accommodate on-site housing for essential personnel such as firefighters and air traffic controllers, whose proximity to airport grounds is crucial for emergency response.
He said the preservation of such facilities is necessary to guarantee operational safety, rapid crisis management, and national security readiness.

During the same meeting, the Federal Executive Council approved eight major initiatives aimed at modernising Nigeria’s aviation sector through improved safety, technology, infrastructure, and efficiency.

Among the approved projects is the procurement of maintenance and technical support services for Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems across Nigeria’s five major international airports — Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

The council also approved the deployment of modern Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) systems nationwide and the installation of 14 Very High Frequency (VHF) remote communication stations for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to strengthen air traffic navigation and control reliability.

To enhance compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, the FEC gave approval for the acquisition of 15 specialised airport rescue and firefighting trucks for the same five international gateways.

Keyamo further disclosed that NAMA, which currently leases office space in Abuja, will soon relocate to a purpose-built headquarters designed for aviation command and control operations.
He described the ongoing arrangement of operating from a rented commercial complex as unsafe for a critical national agency.

The FEC also approved the economic viability study for the planned concession of the Port Harcourt International Airport, which the minister said has now attracted significant private-sector interest.

“Prior to our tenure, interest was nonexistent. Today, more than six firms are vying for the opportunity,” Keyamo revealed.
He assured aviation unions that the process would not lead to job losses, saying, “No staff will be made redundant as a result of this concession.”

In addition to the concessions, the Council endorsed the rollout of a biometric passenger screening system integrated with the National Identification Number (NIN) database to tackle identity fraud at airports.

“Far too many flyers use bogus IDs. This technology will verify identities in real time,” Keyamo explained, adding that the new system will help security agencies curb impersonation and criminal infiltration at air terminals.

The 2024 aviation budget also includes allocations for the installation of runway lighting systems at key airports to facilitate night operations and boost airline profitability.

“Certain airports close at 6 p.m. due to absent lights. These enhancements will extend service hours to 10 or 11 p.m.,” the minister said.

Keyamo appealed to aviation labour unions to support the ongoing reforms, assuring them of his commitment to protecting workers’ welfare while maintaining government authority.

“I am labour-friendly, but labour organisations cannot override executive decisions,” he asserted.

The minister described the FEC’s latest approvals as part of President Tinubu’s broader effort to transform Nigeria’s aviation sector into a modern, secure, and globally competitive industry aligned with international best practices.