Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has advised state governors to privatise or commercialise non-functional and economically unviable airports within their states.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Keyamo noted that while airports serve as essential social infrastructure, many remain dormant due to poor planning and lack of commercial viability. He emphasized that airports should first act as catalysts for economic and social development before yielding profits.
His remarks come amid rising concerns over the proliferation of state-owned airports across Nigeria. Reports show that 12 states have already completed airport projects, while several others are still under construction.
In total, 19 states are estimated to have spent about ₦369.4 billion on these projects.
Some of the completed airports include Asaba Airport; Bayelsa International Airport, Yenagoa; Ogun Cargo Airport; Anambra Cargo Airport, Umuleri; Ekiti Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti; Dutse International Airport, Jigawa; and Gombe Airport.
Ongoing projects include the MKO Abiola International Airport in Osun, Abia Airport, Lekki/Epe Airport in Lagos, and Auchi Airport in Edo State.
However, only three of the 22 airports managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are currently profitable.
The rest depend heavily on cross-subsidisation to remain operational, according to FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku.
Keyamo urged state governments to adopt a business-minded approach by opening up the non-aeronautical aspects of their airports—such as retail spaces, leisure facilities, and logistics hubs—for private investment.
“Governors should commercialise or privatise these airports. The non-aeronautical parts—shopping areas, business complexes—should be making money to keep the airports alive.
Those areas can be concessioned to private operators,” he advised.
He also emphasized that airports are long-term infrastructure projects that may not yield immediate financial returns, but can play a pivotal role in unlocking regional development.
“Airports aren’t built to make profit immediately. They serve as economic triggers. You need an airport before serious investors consider putting up hotels, businesses, or other major infrastructure,” Keyamo said.
Citing examples from the United Kingdom and Europe, he explained that many rural regions maintain small airports or airstrips not for profitability, but for the purpose of stimulating gradual growth over time.
“Some airports in London have existed for more than 100 years. In Europe, even remote towns have small airports to boost accessibility and development,” he said.
Keyamo concluded by encouraging state governments to remain patient, stating that with consistent investment and proper planning, many of the struggling airports could eventually become self-sustaining.
“As long as there is a working runway and terminal, the benefits will come—maybe not today or tomorrow, but in time,” he said.