Unions, Experts Slam FG's Enugu Airport Concession Amid Fears of Job Insecurity and Lack of Transparency
The Federal Government's recent concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu has sparked sharp criticism from aviation unions and industry experts, who accuse authorities of an opaque and exclusionary process that sidelines workers' interests. The concession, signed in January 2026 with a private consortium (identified in reports as Aero Alliance), follows Federal Executive Council approval in July 2025. The government, led by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, positions it as a vital step toward modernizing infrastructure, enhancing efficiency, and driving economic growth in the South-East through public-private partnerships. Officials insist workers' jobs and conditions remain secure, with no retrenchments planned and employees retaining federal status. However, major aviation unions—including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and ...