November 6, 2025
THE Federal Government has banned the sale or transfer of properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, within and around airport premises.
The directive issued on Thursday, was to reinforce that such assets remained strictly for aviation use.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who disclosed this also warned labour unions within the airport to desist from interfering in government policy decisions reassured the unions that there will not be job losses in the planned concession of non viable airports.
Keyamo, while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the council meeting presided by President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja, said the directive overrode interpretations linked to previous administrations’ asset-disposal programmes, stressing that FAAN properties are strategic national assets that must remain under government control.
He explained that to ensure rapid emergency response, which make the retention of these facilities critical, essential personnel, including firefighters and navigational officers, are required to reside within airport precincts.
“We will not concede any of these properties to private individuals. Anyone who believes they have purchased such assets should take note,” he said.
The minister added that FEC granted eight approvals for the aviation ministry, covering airport safety, technology upgrades, concessions and security enhancements.
These include contracts for maintenance and support services for Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) solutions across five international airports, Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
Council also approved the deployment of advanced Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) power systems nationwide, along with 14 VHF remote communication systems for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to boost navigational safety.
To meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, FEC endorsed the purchase of 15 airport rescue and firefighting vehicles for the five major international airports.
Keyamo, who argued that hosting command-and-control infrastructure in private buildings poses security risks, announced that NAMA, currently operating from rented offices in Abuja, will now have a purpose-built headquarters in the capital.
The Council also approved the business case for the concessiogn of Port Harcourt International Airport.
“Before we assumed office, no investor showed interest. Now, over six bidders are competing to run Port Harcourt,” he said, assuring aviation unions that no worker would lose their job.
FEC similarly approved a contactless biometric passenger-verification system linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) across all airports to tackle identity fraud and enhance security.
Keyamo said, “Too many people board aircraft using fake identities. This system will confirm passengers are who they claim to be.”
The Council also ratified contracts under the 2024 budget to install airfield lighting at select airports so they can operate into late-evening hours, helping airlines improve revenue.
“Some airports shut by 6 p.m. because they lack lighting. This upgrade will allow operations till 10-11 p.m.,” he noted
