₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited have signed a final settlement to end a nearly 20-year dispute over MMA2, paving the way for renewed revenue generation and the completion of abandoned hotel and conference centre projects in Lagos.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the formal signing of the agreement, saying the settlement would enable the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to begin receiving concession fees from MMA2 after years of litigation.

Keyamo said the agreement followed the approval of the Federal Executive Council and the Federal Government’s decision under President Bola Tinubu to resolve the protracted dispute through negotiations rather than continued court battles.

He described the settlement as a reciprocal arrangement under which both parties had agreed to relinquish outstanding claims to establish a framework for future cooperation.

According to the minister, under the agreement, Bi-Courtney will waive its outstanding claims against the government, while the Federal Government and FAAN will release specified historical claims against the concessionaire, including accumulated concession fees and other related payments arising before the execution of the agreement.

Keyamo said the arrangement would allow FAAN to commence earning revenue from MMA2, adding that the authority had not received concession fees from the terminal for about 20 years because of the dispute.

He said the agreement also addressed a major point of contention concerning the General Aviation Terminal, known as MMA1, with the revised framework recognising the facility as belonging to the Federal Government and operated by FAAN.

In return, the minister said the government had agreed to allow Bi-Courtney to expand its apron and accommodate regional flights within Africa at MMA2, subject to the terminal’s capacity.

The settlement also covers separate lease arrangements for the four-star hotel and conference centre projects located opposite the airport terminal, whose unfinished structures have remained abandoned for years.

Keyamo urged Bi-Courtney to fulfil its construction obligations and complete the projects, describing them as potential additions to the aviation and hospitality sectors.

He said the government would work with FAAN and Bi-Courtney to ensure compliance with the agreement, particularly regarding construction, concession payments, airport operations and the agreed development programme.

The minister added that regulatory oversight, airport security, emergency arrangements and maintenance standards would remain important under the revised contractual framework.

Recounting the history of the dispute, Keyamo said the original concession agreement was signed on April 24, 2003, for the design, construction, operation and eventual transfer of the domestic terminal.

The concession, which commenced on May 7, 2007, was initially for 12 years but was subsequently extended to 36 years.

Over time, disagreements over financial entitlements, concession obligations and ownership-related issues triggered multiple legal proceedings, some of which reached the Supreme Court.

Keyamo said negotiations with Bi-Courtney’s chairman, Dr Wale Babalakin, and the respective legal and technical teams eventually produced an agreed settlement.

He noted that the resolution had been achieved without the Federal Government engaging external lawyers for the negotiations.

Speaking at the event, Babalakin thanked President Tinubu and Keyamo for resolving the dispute, which he said had remained unresolved for more than 18 years despite the parties having maintained their respective positions.

He said the settlement would create employment opportunities, particularly through the completion of the abandoned projects, while improving the appearance of the airport environment.

According to him, the agreement would also encourage investors who have encountered disputes with government to consider negotiated solutions as a viable means of resolving disagreements.

Babalakin assured the government, the ministry and FAAN that Bi-Courtney would honour its commitments under the agreement.

Image123:
That's why he's called the Jagaban. Life is give and take, not nsogbu mindset.

femi4:
Long overduue...a welcome development

psalmsjob:
Good news because that uncomplicated structure is an eyesore but trust Peter Obi bitter supporters they will not be happy with this news because the minister didn't let Peter Obi park anyhow in the airport while flashing his name like FBI badge thinking people know him for nothing but lies

Irony1:
It doesn't benefit the average man. The winner here is babalakin and not you.

Irony1:
It doesn't benefit the average man. The winner here is babalakin and not you.

Irony1:
It doesn't benefit the average man. The winner here is babalakin and not you.

TheStreetNews:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/10/fg-bi-courtney-end-20-year-mma2-dispute/amp/

ArcFresky:
So they will import cleaners, drivers, engineers and other workers from Japan?

What did the average man even invest?

femi4:
It wasnt put in place for the average man

Tjra:
Regional flights doesn't benefit the average man?

No be the average man go be cahin crew, baggage handlers, flight dispatcher.

What about Taxes generated from there? No be part of it dem take dey reconstruct bridges like Niger bridge?

NDC, its flag bearer and politics of bitterness has done extensive damage to many people honestly.

Irony1:
So why trying to spin it here?

femi4:
What an irony indeed

Comprehension = zero

Irony1:
It doesn't benefit the average man. The winner here is babalakin and not you.

Image123:
That's why he's called the Jagaban. Life is give and take, not nsogbu mindset.

SpaceX:
you do come with your madness again!