The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, has clarified the federal government’s plan for the redevelopment of the Lagos airport, specifically the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Keyamo made the statement on Monday following a misinterpretation of his comments at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos on February 28.
In a report, Keyamo was quoted as saying that President Bola Tinubu was not focused on concessioning the airport but instead was seeking funds for its redevelopment. However, the minister refuted this interpretation, explaining that while the government is actively sourcing funds for the airport’s refurbishment, the possibility of concessioning the airport remains on the table.
Keyamo took to X (formerly Twitter) to provide clarification: “This headline does not reflect my speech at the stakeholders’ forum. What I actually said is that the federal government is considering sourcing funds to fully refurbish the Lagos International Airport. While the funding model is still being finalized, even if the government invests in the refurbishment, concessioning will still be an option for proper management.”
Keyamo further emphasized that the federal government is reviewing the airports’ concession process to ensure transparency, with the ultimate goal of elevating operations to international standards. The minister also mentioned that a master plan for major airports in the country is under development, and President Tinubu has approved a review of the concession process to guarantee efficiency and quality management.
