Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) affirmed that current infrastructural upgrade and improved passengers experiences among others are the core values of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the government continue to change the maligned narratives about Nigeria and especially the country’s airports.
Keyamo, who spoke while unveiling the newly refurbished E Wing Departure terminal at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos also commissioned four environmentally friendly CNG-powered air-conditioned buses that are purchased to improve passengers’ mobility within the airport premise.
An excited Keyamo attributed the new experiences being shared by passengers and other airport workers on various social media to the collaborative efforts of his ministry alongside the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Speaking of the new facility, the Minister said: “What you are seeing today is the general plan of FAAN, endorsed by the Ministry of Aviation to remodel our airports, in partnership with private entities within our limited resources to make airport facilities user friendly. What we are doing today is the commissioning of Wing E- Departure of the Lagos International Airport, in partnership with the United Bank of Africa, which has been with us for a very long time.
“They have done a tremendous amount of work, which is the outcome of the partnership. We thank them for their support.”
On his part, Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba affirmed the financial power house’s enduring partnership with FAAN which he disclosed spans over 22 years.
He said “For 22 years, UBA has maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with FAAN, and today’s commissioning is a testament to the power of such collaborations.”
“These milestones demonstrate a forward-thinking strategy that positions Nigeria as a global aviation hub.”
According to him, such investments in sustainable infrastructure such as the remodeled terminal, pave the way for economic growth and seamless travel experiences, showcasing Nigeria’s potential on the global stage.
The UBA GMD urged greater private-sector involvement in national development, emphasizing that public-private partnerships are transformative tools for addressing critical challenges.
