•Expert, unions raise transparency concern
The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, is raising dust in the aviation industry, with stakeholders in the industry raising questions about the transparency of the process, which was concluded last week.

Aviation analyst, John Ojikutu, queried the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the bidding and selection process, alleging a lack of transparency.

Speaking with The Guardian in Lagos on Wednesday, Ojikutu questioned the value of the concession, the adopted model and tenure of the concession.

He warned that if these were not properly addressed, it may be another botched Nigeria Air project.

For the project to be taken seriously, he explained, all loopholes in the concession should be tabled before the public.

He stated: “The ministry and FAAN management must come out to say why the tender for the concession was not published and if published, how many companies applied or contested for the concession and what were the criteria for the selection? What is the value of the concession and for how many years?

“Is the concession only for aeronautical services? Does it include the non-aeronautical services too? What are these aeronautical and non-aeronautical services? Let this concession not be like the Nigeria Air of the quarter to 2023.

“I hope those facilitating the concession are aware of the Chinese loan debts on the passenger terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu?? If all these are not put into consideration for the concession, it will fail like the Nigeria Air.”

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, last Thursday, concessioned Enugu airport after years of planning.

The airport was concessioned to the Aero Alliance Consortium as a preferred bidder.

But aviation unions have kicked against the concession, saying it is lacking in transparency.

The unions – Air Transport Staff Senior Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) – in a joint letter to the minister, dated January 26, 2026 and obtained by The Guardian, alleged that their representatives in the concession committee set up by the minister were sidelined by the government.

The letter was signed by Frances Akinjole, ATSSSAN; Abdulrasaq Saidu of the ANAP and Sikiru Waheed of the NUATE.

They accused the ministry of sidestepping the necessary labour issues that were supposed to be embedded in the contract after the expected agreement on labour issues had been signed.

“No agreement was ever reached with our unions. No agreement was ever signed with our unions in this regard. Hence, the process was incomplete to warrant the signing off of the concession agreement of the Enugu airport, as it had happened last week.

“The lack of transparency that envelops the processes that culminated in the signing of the agreement has caused serious acrimonious agitation among FAAN staffers across Nigeria.

“In view of the flagrant display of insensitivity to the interests of the would-be affected staff of the airport, our unions hereby reject the celebrated concession agreement and implore the honourable minister to urgently reverse the process to allow the proper things to be done.”