Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, MAKIA
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PBAT, has ordered a total prohibition on the sale or transfer of any properties owned by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) nationwide, and whether located within or adjacent to airport areas.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclose the position of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on FAAN assets in a brief with the state house correspondents after the FEC meeting on Thursday, 6th November 2025.
This policy was revealed on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a briefing with State House reporters following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Expanding on the scope of the decision by the FEC, Festus Keyamo, said the order supersedes any deal on asset liquidation efforts, including those that started from past governments.
Keyamo explained that FEC viewed those assets as not transferrable to individuals or corporate organizations but shall be retained as national resources that must in perpetuity remains in public hands.
He said government considered with utmost importance, welfare and safety of the workforce hence, on-site housing for staff saddled with critical tasks to perform such as firefighters and air traffic controllers, to enable swift crisis interventions—a key rationale for preserving these sites
Barr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development
PROCUREMENT
In addition, the FEC approved eight initiatives for the aviation sector, spanning safety protocols, technological advancements, concessions, and fortified security measures.
Among them were procurement deals for upkeep and technical support of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems at Nigeria’s five primary international gateways in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
The council also authorized the rollout of cutting-edge Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) energy infrastructure across the country, plus 14 VHF remote communication units for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to elevate air navigation reliability.
To align with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements, approval was given for acquiring 15 specialized airport rescue and firefighting trucks tailored for those same major hubs.
Keyamo disclosed that NAMA, which has been leasing office space in Abuja, will soon occupy a custom-designed headquarters there, citing the hazards of situating sensitive command centres in commercial properties.
AIRPORT CONCESSION
The FEC further endorsed the economic viability study for privatising Port Harcourt International Airport’s operations.
Under the present leadership, Keyamo noted a surge in private sector enthusiasm.
“Before our tenure, interest was nonexistent. Today, more than six firms are vying for the opportunity,” he stated, while pledging to unions that no staff redundancies would result from the deal.
Other nods included a seamless, NIN-integrated biometric screening for passengers at all airports aimed at curbing impersonation and bolstering defences.
“Far too many flyers use bogus IDs. This tech will verify identities in real time,” Keyamo explained.
The council validated 2024 budget allocations for runway illumination at targeted facilities, enabling round-the-clock viability and aiding carriers’ profitability.
“Certain airports close at 6 p.m. due to absent lights. These enhancements will extend service to 10 or 11 p.m.,” he observed.
Keyamo urged aviation labour groups to back the reforms, affirming his worker-friendly stance, but added that “labour organisations cannot override executive decisions
@ The Nation
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