The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure contracts worth ₦987 billion aimed at modernising Nigeria’s aviation sector, with significant upgrades planned for major international airports across the country.
The sweeping approval was announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following Thursday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. According to Keyamo, the projects will be fully funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, a flagship initiative under the current administration to boost critical national infrastructure.
Lagos Airport Gets Largest Share: Over ₦712 Billion for Terminal and Airside Works
At the heart of the initiative is the complete rehabilitation of International Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Keyamo revealed that the terminal would be stripped down to its structural carcass and rebuilt with modern mechanical and electrical systems to meet international aviation standards.
The terminal renovation, awarded to CCECC, the same firm that constructed Lagos’s Terminal Two, will include significant expansions to the adjacent terminal infrastructure—a new apron, bridges, access roads, and related facilities.
“The total cost for the Lagos airport upgrades is ₦712.26 billion, with a completion target of 22 months,” Keyamo said.
Kano Airport to Get Runway, Taxiway, and Navigation System Overhaul
At the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, the federal government will invest ₦46.39 billion in runway and taxiway rehabilitation. A key component of the project involves upgrading the airfield ground lighting to Category II (CAT II) standards, enabling safe landings during harmattan-related poor visibility conditions.
“With the navigational aids we are bringing to Kano, aircraft can land even in very hazy weather,” the minister assured.
The project is expected to be delivered within 24 weeks.
Lagos Airport Security Project to Feature High-Tech Perimeter
In a separate but related approval, FEC greenlit a ₦50 billion security enhancement project for Lagos airport, which will include:
- A 14.6-kilometre perimeter fence
- CCTV surveillance systems
- Solar-powered floodlights
- Intrusion detection technology
- Dedicated patrol roads
This 24-month project is designed to tighten perimeter security and prevent unauthorised access, aligning with global best practices.
Port Harcourt and Enugu Airports Also Targeted
The Port Harcourt International Airport will see ₦42.14 billion allocated for runway and taxiway rehabilitation. Similar to Kano, the upgrades include airfield lighting to CAT II standards, enabling safer and more reliable operations during adverse weather.
In Enugu, the FEC also approved the full business case for a 30-year concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, signaling the government’s openness to public-private partnerships in managing airport assets for efficiency and sustainability.
A Strategic Push to Reposition Nigeria’s Aviation Sector
Minister Keyamo expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s decision to focus significant federal resources on aviation, calling it a transformative moment for the sector.
“Today, it was the turn of aviation to receive the kind attention of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund,” he said.
“These upgrades are not just cosmetic; they are about rebuilding from the core, with safety, security, and service excellence at the centre.”
Broader Implications
The ambitious package signals a renewed drive to modernise Nigeria’s airport infrastructure, improve aviation safety, and support the country’s position as a hub in West Africa. The emphasis on CAT II navigation systems also addresses longstanding challenges caused by poor visibility, especially during the harmattan season.
With a timeline spanning 6 to 24 months for various projects, stakeholders will be closely watching implementation, transparency, and contractor performance. If delivered as planned, the upgrades could reshape Nigeria’s aviation landscape, create thousands of jobs, and elevate passenger experiences across key international gateways.