BY ANTHONY OMOH
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, says the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is best positioned to lead the design and execution of Nigeria’s airport master plan.
Speaking at the 25th Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE) in Lagos, Dr. Kana stressed that FAAN’s operational experience makes it the ideal driver of Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure blueprint.
“FAAN must be in the driver’s seat. They understand the terrain and the operational realities. The Ministry can support, but FAAN should lead,” he said.
Kana explained that the masterplan process must be driven by those with direct oversight of airport operations and infrastructure development. He added that FAAN’s technical knowledge and real-time engagement with airport issues give it an advantage in crafting an executable, long-term plan.
This call for role clarity comes amid broader conversations at ABSE 2025 around private investment, concession frameworks, and aligning Nigeria’s aviation growth with global best practices.
Speaking during his opening remarks, Kana unveiled Nigeria’s aviation investment drive stating the country has launched an ambitious roadmap to attract private sector capital into its aviation sector, focusing on partnerships, infrastructure, and global compliance.
“We will continue to strengthen critical infrastructure without overburdening public finances. We believe this is achievable,” he stated. Kana confirmed that major airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, along with cargo terminals and maintenance hangars, are already under concession arrangements.
He added that partnerships across key ministries and agencies — including Finance, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) — are ensuring that aviation PPPs become more transparent and investor-friendly.
According to him, “Stable, transparent, and predictable frameworks are what drive investor confidence. That is what we are delivering.”
Future opportunities in the PPP pipeline include concessioning of air navigation services, aerospace technology clusters, and regional Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hubs.
Furthermore, according to Kana, with more than \$2.1 billion in active aviation projects, Nigeria is already operating airport terminals, cargo logistics centers, and hotel infrastructure through PPP arrangements in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
The country’s push for non-oil exports, especially agricultural goods, makes airport-based cargo logistics a high-priority investment. Track C sessions at the summit emphasized the critical role of air cargo in Nigeria’s export strategy.
In addition, Track B discussions explored multisector linkages. Stakeholders underscored how airports can fuel tourism, hospitality, and trade development, beyond their traditional passenger focus.
Dr. Kana ended his remarks with a direct invitation: “I invite investors to consider Nigeria not just as a market, but as a long-term partner. We are open for business. Nigeria is ready for business.”
- The three-day summit, which ends July 17, continues with closed-door sessions involving the **African Development Bank (AfDB)**, international equity firms, and major aviation investors.
