Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has advised state governors to privatize or commercialize economically unviable airports to ensure their sustainability. He emphasized that airports are primarily social infrastructure meant to spur economic and social development, not immediate profit.
Keyamo suggested concessions for non-aeronautical aspects, like shopping complexes, to generate funds. Despite 19 states investing N369.4 billion in airport projects, only three of the 22 airports managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria are profitable.
Keyamo also noted that airports, even in remote areas, are long-term investments for regional growth, citing examples from the UK and Europe.
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