Nigeria Tries To Boost Aviation Infrastructure

Nigeria is pledging to enhance the viability of the country’s airports, while simultaneously embarking on a review of its airport master plan.

In August, the Aviation and Aerospace Development Ministry’s top civil servant, Emmanuel Meribole, speaking on behalf of Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, reaffirmed the federal government’s intention of boosting the country’s airports.

He noted the need for airports to be profitable, efficient and sustainable, to act as drivers for the wider economy. This would require airports not only to have sustainable financial models, but also to develop their infrastructure. The government is looking to public-private partnerships, bringing in the private sector as an investor, to help with this.

According to the aviation ministry’s website, Meribole said airports were “not just an aviation issue, it is a national economic imperative.”

Air travel is favored as a mode of transport within Nigeria both because of the distances involved between major cities and because of poor security on many of the country’s roads. However, despite its huge population—around 235 million—few Nigerians fly, mainly because of the high cost of tickets and poor infrastructure.

Airlines, in turn, say they are burdened by myriad taxes and service charges, which drive up ticket prices.

In an attempt to improve domestic and regional air services, several of the West African nation’s constituent states have announced plans to establish their own airlines. The southeastern state of Ebonyi, for example, announced in June that it would establish a local carrier, as have Anambra, Lagos and Bayelsa. All say that the aim is to enhance connectivity. Some states believe that the combination of a local airport and airline will also boost cargo shipments.

Furthest advanced with such services is Akwa Ibom state, where state government-owned Ibom Air has recently introduced two Airbus A220s (from an order for 10), alongside five CRJ900 regional jets, plus two A320s.

Several of the country’s regions have also recently announced plans to create or expand airports. Some observers believe these are vanity projects by regional politicians to boost their popularity, as many of the country’s existing airports have extremely low levels of traffic.

Three cities—the capital and primary commercial hub Abuja, Lagos and the oil-producing center of Port Harcourt—account for the great majority of passengers.

In September, consultants FCI International and Munich International were named as partners in embarking on a project whose goal is to lay the foundation for the country’s airports to start implementing a national aviation master plan.

The federal government wants all airports to adhere to the master plan, to harmonize development and align Nigeria’s airport infrastructure with international standards. The government also hopes that it will improve efficiency at the nation’s airports.

Adherence to the master plan will be mandatory for all Nigerian airports.