The Federal Executive Council has approved the comprehensive rehabilitation, upgrade, and modernisation of International Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, forming the centerpiece of a ₦900 billion aviation infrastructure plan across the country.
The approval followed a council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed that the contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The terminal will be stripped to its structural framework and rebuilt with entirely new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The 22-month project is to be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
Keyamo stressed that the administration is moving away from patchwork fixes to full overhauls of critical infrastructure. In addition to Terminal One, the Council also approved the expansion of Terminal Two, which includes a new apron, access roads, and bridges. Combined, these Lagos-related projects total ₦712.26 billion, marking one of the largest investments in Nigeria’s aviation sector to date.
To enhance airport security, the Council also approved a ₦49.9 billion perimeter fencing project at Lagos airport. The 14.6-kilometre metal fence will be equipped with an intrusion detection system, CCTV cameras, solar-powered floodlights, and a patrol road. A modern command center will monitor all movements near the fence in real time.
Several other major airport upgrades were also approved. At Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, ₦46.39 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of both runways and taxiways, with airfield lighting upgrades to Category Two standards. Port Harcourt International Airport received ₦42.14 billion for similar upgrades. In Lagos, ₦44.13 billion was approved for upgrading airfield lighting on Runways 18L/36R and Taxiways B and C to CAT 2 LED systems.
To improve domestic flight operations, the Council approved the phased reconstruction and conversion of 82,000 square meters of apron space at Lagos airport, valued at ₦24.27 billion. The project is expected to take 17 and a half months.
In a significant shift toward public-private partnerships, the Council also approved a 30-year concession for Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. The concession includes the completion and operation of the cargo terminal by a private consortium. Keyamo noted that the decision was made to ease the financial burden of running smaller, unprofitable airports, with revenue from major airports often used to subsidise them.
The minister explained that the concession model aims to tap into non-aeronautical revenue sources such as shopping malls and conference centers, which are major profit drivers in global airport operations. He assured stakeholders that the process has been transparent, with labour unions actively involved in negotiations.
Full details of the concession, including the identities of consortium members and financial terms, will be disclosed publicly in due course to ensure transparency.
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