Sade Williams/Business a.m.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been tasked to conduct a comprehensive land-use assessment that will identify land-use cases that can free up airport land.
Fortune Idu, chairman, FCI International, who made the call recently in a speech at the 2025 Aviation Business Summit and Expo (ABSE), said the assessment will inform the conclusion of the airport master plan and halt the reckless acquisition of airport land by individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies.
He decried the concentration of fuel depot at every space at the airport, saying rather than generate additional revenue for the airport, it does introduce additional risk and space constraints.
Idu raised alarm over the deterioration of the airports’ land infrastructure and the unplanned partition and allocation of federal airports’ space.
“It is unfortunate to note that the federal airports have more tanker farms and fuel contractors than the aircraft and airlines operating in the country, and one wonders why.
“It is also sad that many government agencies are acquiring prime airport locations and spreading structures all over the airport space, creating clusters and congestion that gives the impression that the airport is full. This is one of the biggest threats to airport development, future expansion, business, and value to the nation,” he noted.
According to Idu, the airport’s gestating period is 25 years, and those who see empty airport lands should not consider it available land, adding that the future of the airport and the prosperity of the state depend on the available land.
He remarked that airports are special economic zones stressing that the development, financial structure and process cannot be spontaneous but needs planning, preconceived and programmed.
Idu, who noted the theme of this year’s summit ‘Investment Opportunities in Airport Public-Private Partnerships’, said ‘airports’ are an essential national infrastructure that can significantly boost economic development by providing fast mobility links for people and cargo, especially in a vast country like Nigeria.
He noted that sustaining the development and operation of these airports goes beyond the initial intention to build them.
“With the establishment of over 30 airports in Nigeria today, the viability of airports ensures sustainable and secure air service operations to destinations, promoting connectivity which requires adequate funding for the airports.
He said the airport business summit aims to gather information and contributions on investment opportunities and help initiate campaigns for airport financing through various options, including airport development grants, government infrastructure funding, private equity contributions, and private sector partnerships.
