The Acting Chief Operating Officer and Head of Aeronautics and Cargo Services of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., Mr. Remi Jibodu, has called on airport operators in Nigeria to rethink their approach to revenue generation.
Speaking at the 2025 Airport Business Summit and Expo themed ‘Investment Opportunities in Airport Public-Private Partnership’ in Lagos, Jibodu urged airport managers to explore revenue beyond aeronautical streams.
“When designing revenue bases, it must benefit all stakeholders, with economic activity as aviation facilitates trade,” Jibodu stated.
Speaking further, he said, “There is a need to address funding shortfalls from government sources in order to fix security and safety concerns, inadequate perimeter fencing, surveillance, and emergency response systems. The government cannot adequately fund airport development, as it lacks the capacity to develop them. But how do we close this gap? It is by shared investment, risks, and returns, which should be considered a win-win.”
In a different vein, Captain Ado Sanusi of Aero Contractors stressed the need to re-evaluate the country’s maintenance culture at the nation’s airports: “Lack of infrastructure is quite key in the challenges of airports in the country, and it’s evident in most of the airports that we operate in… What you’re trying to achieve is well-run airport businesses, however you choose to do it, but if you want to do PPP, don’t pretend that you want to do PPP; do PPP. Don’t walk from the answer and go to the question.”
Also sharing his thoughts on infrastructure at the various airports, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, called for a more pragmatic and professional approach to airport development in Nigeria.
According to Uriesi, “It doesn’t matter what model you adopt; what matters is how well the model is implemented and whether it is driven by professionalism, planning, and the will to make it succeed. If you want to do PPP, then do it transparently and correctly. Don’t pretend to be pursuing a PPP while secretly favouring a predetermined outcome. That only leads to failure.”
However, in light of the many complaints from operators of decaying airport facilities, the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 stands out, with one of its most visible aspects being smart operations with the emphasis on streamlining the passenger journey. From intuitive digital check-in points that offer a swift start to the travel process to advanced, automated baggage handling systems that ensure seamless transfers and timely delivery, every effort is made to reduce queues and processing time, allowing passengers more time to relax or attend to other needs.
According to Jibodu, MMA2 is one terminal that has adopted digital systems to improve efficiency and passenger experience. Security processes are continuously reviewed and enhanced with modern equipment and intelligent flow designs, balancing stringent requirements with passenger comfort. Real-time flight information displays, strategically placed throughout the terminal, coupled with integrated communication systems and readily available customer service support, ensure passengers are always well-informed, minimising anxiety and enhancing predictability.
This holistic approach to passenger touchpoints ensures a smooth and stress-free transit from arrival to departure. Beyond the passenger-facing elements, MMA2’s smart operations extend to the very core of its management. Intelligent Building Management Systems are pivotal, optimising everything from energy consumption and lighting to air conditioning and waste management, contributing significantly to operational efficiency and sustainability.
These systems allow for precise control and monitoring of terminal environments, ensuring comfort while dramatically reducing the airport’s carbon footprint. Data analytics plays a crucial role, providing real-time insights into passenger flow, peak periods, and potential operational bottlenecks. This granular data allows management to make proactive, informed decisions on everything from staff deployment and resource allocation to optimising retail spaces and predicting maintenance needs. This level of predictive insight and adaptive capacity ensures that the terminal operates with remarkable fluidity and resilience, anticipating needs before they arise and responding swiftly to dynamic situations.
The aviation sector is experiencing a period of significant expansion, with a noticeable proliferation of airports across the nation. While new terminals and airfields emerge, the discussion invariably turns to not just quantity but also quality, efficiency, and the sustainability of infrastructure.
