FG Signs 30-Year Port Harcourt Airport Deal, Assures Workers Their Jobs Are Safe

The Federal Government has signed a 30-year agreement with Port Harcourt Airport Company Limited to manage and develop Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State.

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo signed the concession agreement in Abuja on Thursday, 12 November, after meeting with aviation unions.

He said President Bola Tinubu had directed that no worker should lose their job because of the concession and that existing conditions of service would be maintained, News About Nigeria reports.

Keyamo said revenue from some of Nigeria’s busiest airports was being used to keep less profitable airports running.

He said the government was bringing in private operators to invest in airport facilities and develop sources of income beyond aviation charges.

The Federal Executive Council approved the business case for the Port Harcourt concession in November 2025.

Eyo Asuquo, who represented the concessionaire at the signing, said the company wanted to develop the airport into a regional hub serving the Gulf of Guinea.

He named Cape Town as one of the destinations the company would like to connect to Port Harcourt.

The reports on the signing gave no start date for that route or timetable for passenger-facing upgrades.