Bi-Courtney Settlement Will Boost Aviation Investment, Says FAAN MD

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has said the resolution of the long-running dispute between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited will strengthen investor confidence and encourage greater private sector participation in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Speaking at the African Air Transport Convention and Expo 2026 in Lomé, Togo, Kuku described the settlement as a major step towards restoring confidence in public-private partnership (PPP) projects. She noted that prolonged disputes over concession agreements often discourage investors, stressing that transparent and balanced contracts are essential for sustainable infrastructure development.

Kuku explained that the recent agreement demonstrates the government's commitment to resolving longstanding contractual issues and creating a more predictable investment environment. According to her, future concession arrangements should ensure fairness to both government and private investors while providing clear guidelines for project management and implementation.

The FAAN chief also advised against establishing new aviation financing institutions, arguing that existing financial institutions should instead develop specialised aviation units with the technical expertise needed to support industry projects. She added that such institutions should assist investors in preparing bankable projects capable of attracting long-term financing.

The Federal Executive Council recently approved a comprehensive settlement of the over two-decade dispute involving the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) concession. The agreement included concessions by both parties and is expected to improve the outlook for future airport infrastructure investments in the country.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the development, saying greater regulatory certainty and stronger public-private partnerships will be critical to modernising Nigeria's aviation sector and attracting fresh investment into airport infrastructure.