Nosa Aituamen
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to build a brand new, state-of-the-art airport in Lagos, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and aligning it with global standards.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, made the disclosure at the launch of “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria”, a book written by aviation journalist Wole Shadare, in Lagos.
Mr. Keyamo lamented the poor state of the existing Lagos airport, noting that it has remained largely unchanged since 1977. He said the facility will be pulled down to make way for a technologically advanced, smart airport that reflects the future of aviation.
“We still have a lot to do in terms of improving our infrastructure and making it world class. Plans are on to pull down the old airport in Lagos to build a brand new one,” he said.
The Minister stressed the need for policy shifts to reflect the sector’s transition from government-driven to private sector-led operations. He added that the government will not fund any national airline, emphasising that private investors must take the lead.
“As the dynamics change, government policies must change to meet the dynamics. We are not running a national airline now; government is not funding, cannot fund and will not fund any national airline,” he stated.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the country currently has 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports, and more than 2,100 licensed pilots. She noted that the sector contributes about $1.7 billion to Nigeria’s GDP.
According to her, over 16 million domestic passengers and 3.5 million international travellers passed through Nigerian airports last year, signalling the sector’s potential for further growth.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the 25-chapter book chronicling the history of civil aviation in Nigeria from 1925 to 2025, including key milestones and future prospects.