Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has moved to reposition the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for greater efficiency, unveiling four strategic investment areas for private-sector participation.
Keyamo stated this on Monday at the opening of the 2025 FAAN National Aviation Conference (FNAC) in Lagos.
The minister who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Kana listed the opportunities as airport infrastructure modernisation, development of a world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre, establishment of aviation leasing companies, and the creation of dedicated cargo and logistics hubs.
He said ongoing upgrades across terminals, runways and aprons are part of Nigeria’s renewed drive to modernise its airports, noting that several of these projects are structured to be delivered under transparent Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks that guarantee both viability and investor confidence.
Keyamo stressed that Africa loses billions of dollars annually to offshore aircraft maintenance, insisting that FAAN is well-positioned to facilitate a regional MRO facility capable of serving West and Central Africa while retaining capital and creating high-skill aviation jobs.
“With Nigeria’s strengthened legal and financial environment, the stage is set for indigenous leasing firms to thrive,” he said, adding that such companies will deepen aircraft financing and support fleet renewal for domestic airlines.
On cargo development, the minister said Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing output demands efficient export channels.
He explained that planned cargo and logistics hubs at major FAAN airports will reduce waste, stimulate agro-exports and integrate local producers into global value chains.
“These are not just ideas,” Keyamo added. “FAAN will be presenting data, timelines and structured business cases to guide investors.”
FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted that six airports and several runways are currently undergoing government-funded improvements.
She said the growing gap between existing airport capacity and projected passenger demand presents strong investment potential in terminal expansion, cargo facilities, and airport-city developments.
Kuku emphasised the need for global expertise in airport management, ground handling and logistics, noting that Nigeria’s large population, growing economy and strategic location place it at the centre of Africa’s aviation future.
Citing IATA projections that global passenger numbers will reach 4.99 billion this year and ACI forecasts of 9.7 billion passengers by 2040, she said Africa is expected to drive the next phase of global aviation growth with Nigeria at the heart of it.
Calling for cooperation from aviation unions, Kuku said private investment will not displace the workforce but instead expand opportunities. “It will deliver better facilities, advanced systems and ultimately more jobs,” she said.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said significant progress has been recorded under the Renewed Hope Agenda through infrastructure upgrades.
He listed recent achievements including the commissioning of new international terminals in Lagos and Port Harcourt, rehabilitation works in Abuja, Enugu and Kano, and strengthened regulatory oversight in collaboration with ICAO, IATA and the NCAA.
Akume added that expanding cargo, hangar and MRO infrastructure in Lagos and Kano is part of efforts to position Nigeria as West Africa’s aviation and logistics hub. He also noted that the framework for establishing a national carrier is being guided by transparency and global best practices.
He stressed that the government alone cannot fund the scale of development required.
“We will continue to create the enabling environment, but private-sector partnership remains essential,” he said.
