The Federal Government has signed a concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic growth in Nigeria’s South East, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has revealed.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Jobson Ewalefoh, Director-General of the ICRC, said the concession, executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, was signed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The agreement forms part of the government’s infrastructure modernisation strategy and efforts to attract private sector investment.
The ICRC said the transaction reflects the role of PPPs in infrastructure delivery under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the Commission, the concession process was carried out under its regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with the national PPP framework.
The process included the certification of business cases, due diligence, negotiations, approval by the Federal Executive Council, and vetting of the concession agreement by the Federal Ministry of Justice, in line with the ICRC Establishment Act.
Ewalefoh said the signing indicates Nigeria’s intention to increase private sector participation in infrastructure development.
According to him, the transaction has reached commercial close and will proceed to implementation.
“This concession will strengthen the airport’s role as a gateway for the South East by improving connectivity and links to domestic and international destinations,” Ewalefoh said. “It will support tourism, trade and economic activity in the region.”
He said the agreement reflects the Federal Government’s plan to mobilise private capital, improve service delivery and ensure long-term asset sustainability.
Ewalefoh said the Enugu Airport concession aligns with ICRC’s efforts to streamline PPP processes, strengthen coordination among agencies and improve project delivery, with implications for economic activity across sectors.
“As the PPP regulator, the Commission provided transaction oversight to ensure value for money and investor confidence,” he said.
He commended the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his engagement on the project and encouraged other state governments to adopt PPPs as a means of attracting investment and delivering infrastructure.
Ewalefoh also acknowledged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and FAAN for their roles in concluding the transaction.
He said the ICRC would continue to support ministries, departments and agencies as the project moves into implementation, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
