ICRC boss hails Tinubu for resolving years-long MMA2 concession dispute

The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Jobson Ewalefoh, has commended President Bola Tinubu for resolving the long-standing concession dispute surrounding the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two in Lagos, describing the move as a boost to investor confidence.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Ewalefoh said the President’s action demonstrated a commitment to the sanctity of contracts, which he noted would reassure investors in Nigeria’s infrastructure space.

He said the intervention signalled that Nigeria remains a credible investment destination where contractual agreements are respected and protected within a stable regulatory environment.

The MMA2 concession dispute involved the Federal Government, through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, over key clauses relating to exclusivity and infrastructure development within the airport corridor.

Ewalefoh said the resolution was achieved through a coordinated process involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the concessionaire, and the ICRC, which provided regulatory concurrence.

According to him, the outcome has removed restrictive provisions in the concession framework, creating room for new aviation infrastructure investments.

“With the removal of restrictive provisions and the restoration of clarity within the concession framework, Nigeria can now fully explore the development of new aviation infrastructure within Lagos State, including projects such as the proposed Lekki Airport,” he said.

He described the resolution as a “masterstroke” that ended a dispute spanning multiple administrations and reaffirmed confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

Ewalefoh added that resolving such a high-profile case would strengthen trust in Public-Private Partnership arrangements and encourage more investment in infrastructure.

He also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his role in the resolution process, noting that his leadership was instrumental to the breakthrough.

The ICRC boss reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that future PPP agreements are properly structured, transparent, and aligned with national development goals.