A long-dormant multi-billion-naira airport hotel and conference centre project at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, may soon come back to life following recent intervention efforts by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The project, initiated in 2005 by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited—concessionaire of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2)—has been at the centre of a 19-year-old dispute with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The disagreement led to a complete halt in construction and a protracted legal battle over the terms of the concession.
Sources confirmed that a closed-door meeting was held last Thursday at FAAN headquarters in Lagos between the minister, FAAN’s Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and Bi-Courtney representatives. The meeting focused on resolving the long-standing impasse and returning the property to Bi-Courtney to complete the project.
A Project Stalled by Dispute
Bi-Courtney began construction on the hotel and conference centre in 2005 after securing land allocation from FAAN as part of a broader development agreement. However, the project stalled due to contractual disagreements and operational challenges.
FAAN announced the termination of the lease in 2013, citing Bi-Courtney’s failure to complete the hotel within the stipulated period. In response, Bi-Courtney obtained a court order restraining FAAN from repossessing the land, claiming that FAAN’s lack of support contributed significantly to the delay.
“We were prepared to finish the job,” a company source said. “We invested over $3 million in imported materials alone. But FAAN’s actions discouraged our foreign partners and created a hostile environment that made it impossible to move forward.”
Ministerial Efforts to Resolve the Crisis
While details of the recent meeting remain undisclosed, multiple sources familiar with the discussions suggest that the minister is inclined toward allowing Bi-Courtney to resume the project. If so, this could mark a significant step toward resolving a case that has symbolised the challenges of infrastructure development in Nigeria.
Efforts to reach the minister for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages were not returned. Similarly, FAAN’s spokesperson Obiageli Orah and Bi-Courtney’s Yinka Olawuyi did not respond to requests for comment.
Human Impact and Lost Opportunities
Beyond the legal and bureaucratic wrangling, the stalled project has had real economic consequences. The hotel was expected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and serve as a vital hospitality and business hub adjacent to the terminal.
Industry stakeholders say the absence of such infrastructure has hurt the airport’s growth potential and reflects poorly on the country’s ability to manage concession agreements effectively.
Aviation security expert and industry analyst, Group Captain John Ojukutu (rtd.), welcomed the potential resolution. “The government should not be involved in the business of aviation operations,” he said. “If the property is returned to Bi-Courtney, they should be allowed to start the 35-year lease afresh. That’s how to move forward.”
A Symbol of Delay, A Hope for Revival
Today, the uncompleted structure—weather-worn and surrounded by overgrown vegetation—remains a stark reminder of a vision that never took off. For many airport workers and travelers, it has become an everyday symbol of missed opportunities and broken promises.
Still, with the minister’s intervention, there is renewed optimism that the project could be revived, restoring investor confidence and delivering long-overdue economic benefits.
If successful, it would not only redeem the project but also send a strong signal that Nigeria is ready to create an enabling environment for public-private partnerships in the aviation sector.
Whether the renewed dialogue results in action remains to be seen. But for now, there is hope that what once stood as a failed promise may finally become a functional piece of Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
@2025 The Ameh News: All Rights Reserved
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
