… says MMA2 can ease MMIA capacity crunch with Regional Flights
Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Remi Jibodu, has urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation sector to prioritise scalable infrastructure and deepen public-private partnerships (PPPs) to unlock long-term growth.
Speaking at a recent aviation conference, Jibodu emphasised that while industry efforts are commendable, many projects lack the foresight required for sustainable expansion.
“You get to about five years or ten years and realise you need to do something differently”, he said, adding that “effort must not just be built in a way that it cannot be scaled”.
Jibodu warned that foundational gaps particularly in transit flight operations could hinder future efficiency. He stressed the importance of integrating scalability into early-stage planning, noting that retrofitting systems later often prove costly and ineffective.
The COO called on the federal government to reduce bureaucratic red tape and create a more enabling environment for aviation entrepreneurs. He argued that simplifying the process of establishing airlines and airport operations would attract both domestic and foreign investment.
“We must encourage the existing PPPs so that other investors will be encouraged to come into the industry”, he said.
He also highlighted the need for Nigerian airlines to remain globally competitive, citing disparities in operating costs compared to international counterparts. “It’s not about the company that owns the airline. It’s about Nigeria. It’s about the citizens being able to move around easily”, he added.
Amid discussions on capacity constraints at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Jobodu confirmed that MMA2 is fully equipped to handle regional operations and could commence within 24 hours if authorised.
“We have the capacity to run regional operations today. The facilities are already there”, he stated.
He noted that MMIA functions as a unified airport with multiple terminals, making it operationally feasible to redistribute traffic when necessary. “If there is capacity on the other side, you push to that side”, he explained.
Jibodu’s remarks reflect a growing consensus among industry leaders that Nigeria’s aviation sector must evolve beyond short-term fixes. With global competition intensifying and passenger expectations rising, scalable infrastructure, investor confidence, and regulatory reform will be key to sustaining growth.
BASL continues to position MMA2 as a model for privately operated airport terminals, with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and creativity.