The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has intensified Nigeria’s push for global aviation investment, unveiling an ambitious vision to transform Lagos into Africa’s premier aviation and investment hub.
Speaking at the opening of the Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit, a three-day global investment forum hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Keyamo urged international investors to tap into the vast opportunities within Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
The high-level summit drew global investors, industry leaders, policymaker and development partners, with Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima chairing the event. Governors from Imo, Abia, Plateau, and Nasarawa States, alongside other dignitaries, were also in attendance.
Highlighting Lagos’ strategic dominance, the Minister described the state as Nigeria’s primary aviation gateway and a critical node in Africa’s air transport network.
“Sixty-seven percent of all international passengers entering Nigeria by air pass through Lagos. This clearly underscores its strategic importance as the nation’s economic and aviation hub”, Keyamo stated.
He revealed that Nigeria now operates seven international airports, following the recent upgrade of facilities in Akwa Ibom and Maiduguri – the latter marking the first international airport in the North-East, a milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Keyamo emphasised Lagos’ geographic advantage, noting its proximity to major global destinations.
“Within six hours, you can connect to Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, and South America. This positions Lagos perfectly as a central hub linking Africa to the world”, he said.
With ongoing reforms and infrastructure investments, the Minister expressed confidence that Lagos is on track to rival leading African aviation hubs such as Addis Ababa and Lomé.
Central to this transformation is a $500 million Federal Government investment approved by President Tinubu for the comprehensive modernisation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
“This is not borrowed funding, but a strategic national investment to upgrade a 50-year-old facility into a world-class airport. In less than two years, the transformation will be evident to all”, he assured.
In a move to boost connectivity, Keyamo also announced plans to integrate rail transport directly into the airport network. The Federal Ministry is collaborating with the Lagos State Government to extend the rail line from Ikeja through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), MM2, and onward to the international terminal.
“This multimodal integration will significantly enhance passenger movement and reinforce Lagos’ emergence as a regional aviation hub”, he added.
Reaffirming the administration’s investor-friendly stance, the Minister pointed to the successful resolution of a long-standing dispute involving a private airport investor – an issue that had lingered for over two decades.
“This government has shown unwavering commitment to private sector participation by resolving legacy disputes and fostering a climate of confidence for investors”, he said.
He commended the Lagos State Government for its pro-business policies and encouraged investors to explore opportunities in both federal aviation infrastructure and the proposed Lekki airport project.
“The opportunities are vast, and the outlook is extremely promising. Lagos is ready for the next phase of aviation growth”, Keyamo concluded.
The Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit remains a key platform for attracting local and international investment, further cementing Lagos’ status as West Africa’s leading commercial and financial hub.