As Nigeria moves forward with the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, attention is shifting from policy to people specifically, the capability of the concessionaire, Aero Alliance.
The concern is not abstract. Nigeria has seen ambitious private sector projects rise with promise and collapse under the weight of execution failure. The mention of Sujimoto is not accidental it is a cautionary tale.
The Nigerian Reality
A country where PPPs often Fail, despite the global success of airport concessions, Nigeria’s track record is mixed at best. The concerns raised around the Enugu deal already reflect systemic weaknesses: a. Questions about transparency in the bidding, b. Unresolved issues around financial models and charges c. Historical failures like the Nigeria Airways project, this suggests that the risk is not the model, but the environment in which it is executed. This is where the conversation becomes more critical.
What We Know
Aero Alliance was selected after a multi-year process involving negotiations and stakeholder consultations, It has already engaged aviation unions and signed agreements to protect workers , Government describes the process as “transparent” and “painstaking”
What We Don’t Know (And This Matters More)
a. Aero Alliance has no widely established track record of managing major international airports
b. It has no Limited publicly verifiable experience in large-scale aviation infrastructure
c. It has no clear benchmark projects comparable to global concession operators
In infrastructure concessions, experience is everything, unlike construction contracts, airport management requires:
a. Airside and landside operational expertise
b. Airline network development capability
c. Commercial revenue optimization (retail, cargo, logistics)
Without a strong global or regional portfolio, Aero Alliance enters this deal as a relatively untested player Will It Work? A Balanced Verdict
Reasons for Optimism
a. PPP model is globally proven
b. Government is actively pursuing aviation reforms
c. Labour concerns have been proactively addressed
d. Enugu’s strategic importance as a South-East hub is undeniable
Reasons for Caution
Transparency concerns persist, Operational and financial details are still unresolved, Concessionaire’s track record is unclear, Nigeria’s institutional weaknesses could undermine execution
Final Analysis: Reform Without Capacity Is Risk
The concession of Enugu Airport is not just an infrastructure decision, it is a test of Nigeria’s ability to execute complex economic reforms.
If properly managed, it could: Turn Enugu into a regional aviation hub, unlock cargo and export potential for the South-East, Serve as a model for other airport concessions. But if poorly executed, it risks becoming: Another opaque deal, another under performing asset, another example of reform without results
The truth is simple, The model is sound, The ambition is right.
But success will depend less on policy and more on the competence, transparency, and accountability of those entrusted to deliver it.
