Lagos is set to host a major convergence of key players in the Nigerian aviation sector as the 2025 edition of the Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE) prepares for takeoff from July 15 to 17 at the NIGAV Expo Centre, Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The annual event, the only dedicated airport business summit in Nigeria, is designed to spotlight the economic dynamics of air transport from an airport-centric perspective.
It brings together airlines, regulators, private investors, airport managers, and government officials to chart a path toward a more sustainable and investment-friendly airport ecosystem.
Organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Transport Commissioners’ Forum, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the summit has as its theme “Investment Opportunities in Airport Public-Private Partnerships.”
Convener of the summit, Mr. Fortune Idu, this year’s edition aims to deepen conversations around attracting private capital into a sector historically dominated by public funding.
Stakeholders will explore how to reposition airports as economic hubs capable of delivering strong returns on investment while supporting national development goals.
Expected dignitaries include the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana; state commissioners of transport; heads of aviation agencies; and top executives from the private sector.
The three-day programme kicks off with a hands-on masterclass on airport revenue planning, targeted at airport managers, airlines, aviation stakeholders, and potential investors.
According to Idu, participants will explore new models for airport revenue generation, strategies to resolve financial bottlenecks, and ways to attract investment to support long-term business sustainability.
Following this, he noted, airport managers will present investment opportunities tied to their respective facilities, showcasing initiatives designed to make their airports more competitive and attractive to private partners.
Each participating airport will also maintain an exhibition booth to engage directly with potential investors.
Over the subsequent days, discussions will zero in on high-impact areas of the industry.
These include the role of public-private partnerships in driving aviation sector growth, the integration of hospitality, tourism, and trade into airport development strategies, and the readiness of Nigerian airports to support large-scale cargo operations in line with the country’s agro-export ambitions.
Security, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance will also take center stage.
Experts from the Civil Aviation Authority and other security agencies are expected to address persistent safety challenges, including community encroachment, theft, and vandalism, while discussing collaborative solutions that ensure airports remain compliant with international audit requirements.
ABSE 2025 promises to be more than just a meeting of minds, it is shaping up to be a springboard for actionable strategies and partnerships aimed at transforming Nigeria’s airports into globally competitive, investment-worthy assets.
