…as minister, unions agree
The Federal Government has signed the concession agreement for the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, with PH Airport Limited.
The agreement was signed at the office of Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, SAN, who led the Federal Government delegation, while the concessionaire was led by its Group Managing Director, Mr. Eyo Asuquo.
The event brought together key stakeholders in the aviation industry, including Chris Najomo, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Directors of the Ministry; and Aviation Union leaders.
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In a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive engagement and industrial harmony, proceedings commenced with a private meeting between the Honourable Minister and the leadership of aviation unions.
The engagement provided an opportunity for extensive consultation on the concession process, particularly its implications for aviation workers and the future of the airport.
Speaking on behalf of the aviation union leaders, Ben Nnabue expressed the unions’ approval of the concession agreement, stating that their endorsement followed assurances and confirmation that no aviation worker would lose his or her job as a consequence of the arrangement.
He emphasised that the protection of workers’ jobs remained a fundamental consideration for organised labour and that the unions were satisfied with the assurances received before giving their approval to the agreement.
The position of the unions represents an important development in the concession process, demonstrating the significance of dialogue, consultation and cooperation between government, private investors and organised labour in achieving sustainable reforms within the aviation industry.
Also speaking at the event, Eyo Asuquo, the Group Managing Director of PH Airport Limited, described Port Harcourt’s strategic importance in the aviation and economic landscape of the Gulf of Guinea, drawing attention to its enormous potential as a major gateway for regional commerce, investment and connectivity.
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He expressed the concessionaire’s commitment to transforming the airport through improved infrastructure, enhanced operational standards and increased economic activities, assuring that the arrangement would create opportunities for more employment rather than lead to job losses.
According to him, the vision of PH Airport Limited goes beyond taking over the management of the facility, as the company is committed to driving development, expanding opportunities and creating additional jobs through investments and the growth of airport-related activities.
Asuquo further assured that the company would work towards unlocking the airport’s enormous potential, leveraging Port Harcourt’s strategic location within the Gulf of Guinea to attract increased economic activities and strengthen its position as an important aviation and commercial hub.
Following the engagements, the Minister presided over the formal signing of the concession agreement, after which the concessionaire and relevant officials of the Ministry endorsed the documents, marking the successful completion of the formal execution process.
The participation and approval of the aviation union leaders, alongside the commitments made by the concessionaire, underscored the importance attached to protecting workers’ interests while pursuing private-sector-led investment and development in the aviation sector.
The concession of the Port Harcourt airport represents another milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to leverage private-sector expertise, investment and operational capacity in the development of Nigeria’s airport infrastructure.
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Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has continued to pursue reforms aimed at modernising the nation’s airports, strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing operational efficiency and positioning the aviation industry as a catalyst for economic growth.
The agreement is expected to usher in a new phase in the management and development of the Port Harcourt airport, with the broader objectives of improving passenger experience, strengthening airport services, attracting investment and unlocking the economic potential of the facility.
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Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers.
She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay.
She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos.
As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender.
She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies.
Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the
prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the ‘Aviation Writer of the Year’ Category.
She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category.
She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations.
Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
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