No sale of FAAN's properties, says Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, has clarified that all properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are public assets that cannot be sold or transferred to private individuals, irrespective of previous misconceptions or unofficial claims.

The Minister made this statement while briefing the press on recent efforts to address recurring property disputes at airports nationwide.

He noted that several individuals, including some retired FAAN employees, had relied on outdated or misinterpreted directives from the defunct Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Government Properties to assert ownership over airport quarters and related facilities.

“There has been a long-standing misconception. While the PIC sold some government residential properties under the owner-occupier scheme years ago, airport properties were specifically excluded from that exercise due to their importance to aviation security,” the Minister said.

He added that the current administration, through the approval of a new memo by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has revalidated this exclusion, leaving no ambiguity about the government’s position.

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“Mr. President has now graciously directed that FAAN properties within and around airports must not, under any circumstances, be disposed of to private individuals. These are operational and safety-critical facilities that must remain under government control,” Keyamo stated.

Airport environments, the Minister stressed, require the presence of essential staff, suxh as firefighters, security officers, and technical experts, who must live in proximity to respond swiftly to emergencies. Private ownership within such zones compromises not only FAAN’s operational readiness but also national security.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has echoed the Minister’s position, assuring stakeholders that it remains committed to upholding the integrity of airport infrastructure and preventing unauthorised occupation or sale of any property under its control.

FAAN further warns individuals making false ownership claims to desist or face appropriate legal action. The Authority also urges all staff and the general public to disregard any purported sale or title document relating to airport properties, as these have no legal basis.

“Our mandate is to maintain safety, efficiency, and integrity in all Nigerian airports. Protecting government property is part of protecting the nation’s aviation infrastructure,” FAAN’s management affirmed.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.