The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has constituted an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive review of federal airport and seaport terminal concessions granted between 2006 and 2025. The move formalises a legislative oversight initiative aimed at assessing the performance and economic impact of these public-private partnerships.
Speaking through Representative Loari Kwamoti at the committee’s inauguration on Tuesday, the Speaker stated the review fulfills the House’s constitutional duty to safeguard national interest and ensure accountability. He contextualised the original 2006 decision to concession Nigeria’s ports and airports as a policy to improve efficiency, attract private investment, modernise infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and boost government revenue.
“Nearly two decades after the commencement of these concession arrangements, it is both timely and imperative… to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes,” the Speaker said, clarifying the exercise is not an attack on private sector participation but a necessary audit. Key questions the committee must address include whether concessions delivered value for money, complied with contracts, enhanced competitiveness, protected public assets, and contributed to economic growth, employment, and revenue.
The committee’s formal mandate covers several critical areas. It will examine the terms of all concession agreements from the 2006-2025 period, assess revenue flows and financial benefits to federal coffers, and review concessionaires’ compliance with contractual, regulatory, and safety obligations. Furthermore, it will appraise infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality, and labour-related issues. A crucial task will be identifying systemic weaknesses within the concession framework and formulating practical recommendations to improve future policy and legislation.
Representative Akinlayo Kolawole, who will chair the committee, acknowledged the weight of the responsibility. He committed the panel to producing a legacy of stronger infrastructure, improved governance, and restored public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programmes. He urged members and stakeholders to approach the mandate with professionalism and a focus on national interest.
The committee’s formation signals a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s federal infrastructure policy. Its findings are expected to shape the future of port and airport management, directly impacting national competitiveness, public asset management, and economic development. The House has tasked the committee with delivering an evidence-based assessment that balances the need for private sector expertise with the imperative of protecting public resources and trust.
