Federal Government, Bi-Courtney resolve 20-year MM2 Airport dispute

Business, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced that the Federal Executive Council, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a settlement to end the two-decade-long dispute between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Ltd over the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2) in Lagos.

Keyamo explained that negotiations had been ongoing for more than a year to break the impasse. Under the agreement:

• Bi-Courtney wrote off ₦132 billion in court-assessed damages against the Federal Government.
• Bi-Courtney handed back MMI Airport (the old local terminal), which the Supreme Court had ordered to be transferred to it.
• Bi-Courtney relinquished its exclusive right to operate any private or domestic airport in Lagos State.
• Bi-Courtney agreed to commence payment of concession fees under the 2003 Concession Agreement, which had been suspended during the dispute.

In exchange, the Federal Government agreed to:

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• Write off all unpaid concession fees accumulated over nearly 20 years.
• Return the uncompleted hotel and conference centre opposite the airport to Bi-Courtney, with a 24-month deadline for completion and shared revenue arrangements.
• Move regional flights to MM2, subject to capacity.
• Provide Bi-Courtney with additional land to expand the MM2 apron for more aircraft.

The settlement brings closure to one of Nigeria’s longest-running aviation disputes. For years, the disagreement had revolved around unpaid concession fees, exclusive rights claims, and conflicting court judgments, creating uncertainty for both the government and Bi-Courtney. By resolving these contentious issues, the agreement is seen as a balanced compromise that restores revenue streams for the government, secures operational clarity for Bi-Courtney, and ultimately benefits passengers and the aviation sector by ensuring stability and growth.