Leading unions in Nigeria’s aviation industry have rejected the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, describing the process as opaque and procedurally flawed. The Air Transport Staff Senior Services Association of Nigeria, the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals made the call in a joint letter to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, demanding an immediate reversal of the agreement.
In the letter, dated January 26, 2026, and signed by Frances Akinjole, Sikiru Waheed and Abdulrasaq Saidu, the unions alleged that their representatives on the concession committee were sidelined during key stages of the process. They said labour issues were not fully discussed or resolved before the agreement was finalised with concessionaire Aero Alliance. The unions insisted that no formal agreement was reached or signed with them on workers’ rights before the concession was approved.
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The Minister had earlier said workers’ rights and privileges were preserved, adding that staff were not retrenched and remain employees of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. However, the unions accused the ministry of failing to follow due process and warned of growing agitation among FAAN staff nationwide. They have placed airport workers on red alert and threatened protests if the concession is not reversed, citing concerns over transparency and the welfare of affected employees.
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