The Lagos State government said that the proposed Lekki-Epe International Airport would be delivered in two years.
This is as the aviation stakeholders in Nigeria have challenged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to improve the quality of its service delivery to airlines and other clients in order to remain relevant with the planned emergence of a second airport in Lagos State.
Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Media and Publicity, in an interaction with our correspondent, said that the Lekki-Epe International Airport is proposed to be completed by 2027.
Akosile could not, however, provide the financial details of the airport, saying: “The total contractual sum is unknown yet.”
Also, aviation experts spoken with by our correspondent said that the coming up of the second airport in the state would complement the existing Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
They further said that its completion and use would ensure seamless transaction of businesses by industries and organisations within the Lekki-Epe axis, while the present high traffic witnessed at the Lagos airport would be eliminated.
Commenting on the plan, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, the Director, Research, Zenith Travel Ltd, said Lagos needed an additional airport to accelerate growth in the state.
He doubted if the proposed airport would operate international flights, maintaining that Lagos State government required complementary airports to improve traffic into the state that would be beneficial to all airlines, travellers and the economy of the state, provided the airports have some level of costs and service efficiency.
Ohunayo also explained that the Lekki-Epe airport would peak at the low-cost carriers and passengers to the Island, adding that international and scheduled flights would still retain the MMA.
Ohunayo also observed that the coming onboard of Gateway Airport at Remo-Ikenne axis may affect the projection for the new airport in Lagos due to proximity.
“Another fear I am having about Lekki-Epe airport is that another airport is coming up in Shagamu, which will split the vibrant Ijebu, Okorodu, Epe travellers. These are airports that springing up within and around Lagos should ginger FAAN to improve its quality of services, cost efficiency, aeronautic project and the choked airside space for aircraft parking.
“Quality services and cost are the things that will determine what happens to any airport and for any airport to be used by airlines. Luckily, the Lagos State government is also tying an airline to that airport, which would be owned by the state government. I look forward to it and I don’t see any threat to FAAN, but FAAN should up its game and ensure that they get more revenue for their services from the airports under their domain,” he said.
On the model of operations, Ohunayo said it was necessary for the government to allow the airport to commence operations first before deliberating on the model to be adopted.
He, however, proposed for a reputable airport company to manage the facility on behalf of the state government, rather than full concession.
“It should remain owned by the Lagos State government if they really want it to be an airport that will compete with others within the region, considering the proximity of other airports,” he suggested.
Also, Mr. Nuhu Adam, Managing Partner, TMSS Consulting, said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Summa Group, a Russian company by the state government was a good development and a game changer for the state.
He explained further that the new airport would enhance connectivity to the proposed coastal road, the Lekki-Victoria Island and Eko Atlantic, which is presently the hub of activities for residential and companies.
Adam further expressed that the signing of the MoU was a bold statement by the Lagos State government to put intermodal transportation infrastructure in the emerging industrial axis from Lekki-Epe axis.
He pointed out that the new airport would act as an economic driver for Lagos, maintaining that an additional airport in the state would not affect the revenue generation of FAAN, rather would propel it to increase its service delivery.
“The population of Lagos is big enough to service two airports. It will be to the interest of the people, investors and Nigerians as a whole.
“The coming up of another airport will not affect the revenue generation of FAAN. Airport revenues are sourced from two major areas – aeronautical and non-aeronautical. If the management of FAAN scales up its operations, the proposed new airport will not have any negative impact on its operations, rather, it will only increase competition. The focus should be on service delivery in a competitive environment.
“The focus should be better service delivery in a competitive environment for an earned revenue. In the case of Lagos, a reliever airport is overdue. With the emerging commercial and industrial activities in the Lekki axis, the airport will be a vital outlet not only for commercial and cargo flights, but for flight training, military, search and rescue operations, and corporate and recreational flying,” he said.
Mr. Amos Akpan, aviation expert, described the airport as an infrastructure provided as a launchpad for socioeconomic development of the territory it is located.
Amos explained that the argument for prioritisation among contending development projects was left for the development agenda, matched against the needs of the people in that territory.
According to him, the state government would have put this project through a thinking process, weighing it against others like speed rail linking Ikeja to Lekki/Epe, water for all houses, electric/alternative power sufficient to run homes and businesses, modernised and available modes of mass transport, e-security infrastructure fit for 24 hours lifestyle and others.
“Lagos knows what is needed now and how to reach out to private partnership to get these infrastructure in place. We request that the interest of the estimated 25 million Lagosians is captured in each project and also, to grow its status as a mega city and the commercial headquarters of West Africa.
“My point is that instead of arguing if the airport is necessary, let’s check if it is the priority for now among the needed projects for the state. And if it passes the test check, let’s do it,” he said.
On the implication on FAAN revenue, Amos advised the agency to focus on innovative services and customer satisfaction and not only on “money making.”
He posited that the Lagos airport generates sufficient financial resources to cater for its sustenance and other airports in the country, pointing out that the airport currently has the highest traffic in terms of aircraft, passenger and cargo movements in West Africa.
He added: “You don’t treat investment in an airport like N20 billion invested and you harvest by financial balance sheet of N40 billion in five years. Airport is an infrastructure investment whose yield spans 30 years to 50 years and you are still harvesting the gains from all sectors of your state.
“The concern should be to have a management that can attract patronage such that the revenue can pay for its operational expenses and leave a positive balance sheet to back up funding for newer facilities. Investors want returns on their investment and the people want a platform for trade and tourism expressed in air movement of goods and services.”
He also advised the Lagos State government to get a management team irrespective of race, colour or political affiliation and give them the enabling environment to perform optimally.
Mr. Banajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, had said on Saturday, in his official X account (formerly Twitter) that the state government has signed an MoU with Summa Group, a Russian firm, for the development and construction of the Lekki-Epe International Airport.
Sanwo-Olu had described the project as a transformative initiative aimed at improving connectivity in Lagos, boosting economic growth, and attracting global investments.
He emphasised that the Lekki-Epe International Airport would enhance travel and create new opportunities for businesses and residents across the state.
The Lagos State government with Mr. Babatunde Fashola as the governor, first mooted the idea of a new airport in 2009 under the public private partnership (PPP) scheme.
In 2011, as part of the competitive tender process for the construction of the airport, the government, through its consultants, advertised a request for pre-qualification (RFPQ) and 33 Nigerian and international firms indicated interest to participate in the ambitious project, but the project was delayed by opposition from landowners and difficulties in raising finance.
But since Fashola left office in 2015, not much was heard of the project again until when Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State government in 2022 revived it with the presentation of approval certificate to the governor in Lagos by Sen. Hadi Sirika, the then Minister of Aviation.
Sanwo-Olu had said that construction on the new airport would be built alongside the Lekki-Epe Expressway and would be on 3,500 hectares of land in the area.
