Reckless airport land acquisition: ABSE boss, Idu, wants FG to conduct assessment
BY CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO
The Chairman of Aviation Business Summit and Expo (ABSE) 2025, Mr Fortune Idu, has called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to conduct a comprehensive land-use assessment that will identify land-use cases that can free up airport land.
In his welcome speech at the ABSE 2025 held at the NIGAV Expo Event Centre at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Idu said the assessment will inform the conclusion of the airport master plan and halt the reckless acquisition of airport land by government agencies
According to Idu, as the government make concerted efforts to get the airport on the right track for sustainable growth, it was disheartening to see the deterioration of the airport’s land infrastructure and the unplanned partition and allocation of Federal airport 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”.
He decried the concentration of fuel depots at every space at the airport, saying it does not necessarily generate additional revenue for the airport, but it does introduce additional risk and space constraints.
READ ALSO: Buhari’s support for Lagos marked him a true nationalist, visionary leader- Ambode
“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”
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 that so-called available land.
He remarked that airports are special economic zones, stressing that the development, financial structure and process cannot be spontaneous but need planning, preconceived and programmed.
“It is my pleasure to announce that ABSE has had a greater impact on influencing government decisions now than it has in the past eight years”.
Idu said the theme of this year’s summit, ‘Investment Opportunities in Airport Public-Private Partnerships Airports’ is 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.
Idu noted that Nigeria’s aviation sector is gradually leading to increases in fleet size and airport connectivity, adding that the summit will provide an opportunity for thorough discussions on how to make airports economically sustainable, as well as foster a collective drive to build confidence and improve the usability of air transport.
