The federal government recently finalized the transfer of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to Aero Alliance, a private consortium. This handover is intended to elevate the facility into a major aviation and logistics center for Africa. Although the project has been under discussion for two decades, it gained significant momentum following Federal Executive Council approval in July 2025.
The transition faced notable resistance from labor unions such as NUATE, ATSSSAN, and ANAP, who raised concerns regarding potential staff redundancies and the loss of government oversight. Furthermore, the public initially feared the airport was being sold, rather than managed through a Public-Private Partnership. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo maintained that the private sector is better suited to handle commercial operations, noting that the agreement is designed to generate jobs rather than eliminate them.
However, the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) have publicly rejected the move, labeling it as discriminatory. They questioned why Enugu was singled out for privatization while other international airports remain under federal control. Conversely, industry experts like Onyekachi Eze and Titus Agbo argue that the concession is a standard global practice. They suggest that private management will attract investment, streamline operations, and enhance passenger services, ultimately boosting the regional economy.
