7-7-2025
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the Federal government is no longer in position to sustain the country’s unprofitable airports.
Speaking at the the launch of the Enugu Air Monday Keyamo said Nigerian airports were running at a loss.
“We are running the airports at a loss because we don’t have the drive of the private sector. I’m saying it openly, and I have no apologies.
“There is no government that can run airports again in Nigeria for profit.”
He added that the Enugu airport would be concessioned.
“We are just in the process of handing Enugu airport to private investors who will come and make this place open, including the cargo terminal,” he said.
“You can now process exports directly from Enugu here—the cargo terminal—for the good and employment of Enugu people. I thought it was necessary to mention it here today.”
He praised Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his proactive efforts in attracting private investments to the airport, noting that the governor refused to wait on bureaucracy to drive progress. Speaking at the occasion governor Mbah said: “We began this journey with no empty promises. Among the key objectives we outlined upon assuming office was the pledge to make Enugu the premier destination for investments, living, and tourism in Nigeria. Today, we are witnessing a clear pathway to that goal.
“With our airline, we are opening doors to a sector that once felt out of reach. Enugu Air has given more wings to our dreams, and today we take that first flight together.”