President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate ban on the sale or transfer of any properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) located within or around airport premises.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was disclosed on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a briefing with State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Keyamo said the president’s order overrides any previous attempts by past administrations to dispose of FAAN assets, stressing that such properties are strategic national assets that must remain in public ownership.
“These properties will not be handed over to private entities. If anyone thinks they’ve acquired one, they should reconsider,” Keyamo warned.
He explained that retaining on-site accommodation for essential staff such as firefighters and air traffic controllers was critical for rapid emergency response and operational safety.
Meanwhile, the FEC approved eight key initiatives for the aviation sector, covering safety systems, technological upgrades, and security reinforcements.
Among these were contracts for the maintenance and technical support of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems at Nigeria’s five major international airports — Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
The council also approved the deployment of Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) energy infrastructure and 14 VHF remote communication units for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to enhance communication reliability.
In line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, the FEC sanctioned the purchase of 15 specialised airport rescue and firefighting trucks for major airports nationwide.
Keyamo further revealed that NAMA will soon move into its new purpose-built headquarters in Abuja, ending years of renting commercial office space for sensitive command operations.
Additionally, the council approved an economic viability study on the planned privatisation of Port Harcourt International Airport’s operations, with Keyamo noting renewed private sector interest.
“Before our tenure, there was no interest. Now, more than six firms are competing for the concession,” he said, assuring aviation unions that no job losses would occur.
Other approvals include the deployment of NIN-integrated biometric screening systems across airports to curb identity fraud, and budget allocations for runway lighting projects to allow extended night operations.
“Some airports close at 6 p.m. because of lack of illumination. These upgrades will enable operations until 10 or 11 p.m.,” Keyamo added.
He urged aviation unions to support the reforms, emphasising that while the government remains labour-friendly, “labour organisations cannot override executive decisions.”
