The 18-year legal and administrative impasse between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) over the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) concession has officially been resolved, opening the door for regional flight operations and key infrastructure expansions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony involving the Federal Government, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Bi-Courtney Limited, and Stabilini Visinoni Limited, BASL Chairman Wale Babalakin commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Aviation Minister Olorogun Festus Keyamo for facilitating the historic settlement, describing the resolution as a major victory for Nigerian aviation and private sector investment.
With the long-standing commercial disputes settled, including reciprocal concessions regarding the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), BASL is now set to resume delayed capital projects at the terminal, most notably the completion of the MMA2 Hotel and Conference Centre, apron expansions, and the launch of regional passenger flights.
Babalakin emphasised that ending the 18-year uncertainty sends a strong signal to domestic and foreign investors that contract enforcement and constructive dialogue can thrive in Nigeria, pledging that the terminal operator will translate the agreement into quality jobs and world-class airport services.
The commencement of regional operations, alongside the planned apron expansion, would create opportunities for skilled employment and commercial growth.
The settlement also addresses outstanding issues arising from the parties’ longstanding commercial relationship, including matters relating to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which remained under FAAN’s control and operation.
The agreement incorporates reciprocal concessions and revised obligations, providing a framework for the parties to move forward.
Acknowledging the responsibility to translate the resolution into tangible results, the Chairman assured stakeholders that Bi-Courtney would fulfil its obligations under the agreement and work constructively with the relevant parties.
“We will not disappoint the President, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, FAAN or Nigerians,” he assured.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for facilitating the resolution, emphasizing that the agreement marks an opportunity for renewed cooperation, infrastructure delivery and the realization of MMA2’s full potential.
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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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