Nigeria's aviation sector

Nigeria's aviation sector is poised for a major transformation as the country's Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, recently announced plans to open up government-owned airports to private investment. This move is aimed at attracting investors with the technical know-how, ability, and finances to set up efficient airports in the country. The decision comes at a time when the industry is facing various challenges, including the recent closure of Abuja Airport for repairs and concerns over the state of Kaduna Airport. To shed light on these developments, Captain Oladipo Ojikutu, an Aviation Security Consultant, joined CNBC Africa for an insightful discussion. One of the key topics of discussion was the closure of Abuja Airport for six weeks and the subsequent diversion of air traffic to Kaduna. Captain Ojikutu highlighted the legitimate concerns raised by foreign airlines regarding the condition of Kaduna Airport, which was not previously used for international flights. He emphasized the importance of having a robust security program in place to support international operations, noting that such programs must be approved by the National Civil Aviation Security Committee. The conversation then shifted to the Minister of Aviation's announcement regarding the privatization of government-owned airports. Captain Ojikutu expressed optimism about the potential benefits of this move, citing the success of previous Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects such as the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2). He underscored the need for a modern framework to guide the concessioning process and ensure that the airports are properly managed by private investors. When asked about the attractiveness of other airports for potential investors, Captain Ojikutu identified Port Harcourt as a promising option and highlighted the prospects for development in cities like Enugu and Ilorin. He noted that passenger traffic plays a crucial role in assessing an airport's viability and pointed out that certain domestic routes are inadvertently being used for international flights due to government policies and commercial agreements. In conclusion, Captain Ojikutu emphasized the need for effective policy implementation and a clear roadmap for revitalizing Nigeria's aviation sector. He stressed the importance of addressing longstanding issues such as political interference and inadequate infrastructure maintenance to attract sustainable private investments. As the country looks towards a more dynamic and competitive aviation landscape, collaboration between the government and private sector will be essential to unlock the sector's full potential and drive economic growth.