FG and Bi-Courtney Settle MMA2 Dispute After 20 Years

After nearly two decades of disputes regarding the MMA2 terminal in Lagos, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, led by Babatunde Babalakin, have reached a settlement. The agreement resolves a contentious public-private partnership battle and involves the government relinquishing a N132 billion Supreme Court judgment debt.

The government will regain operational rights over domestic aviation at Lagos Airport while allowing Bi-Courtney to continue its hotel and conference center project adjacent to the terminal. The new agreement stipulates that Bi-Courtney will have 24 months to complete the hotel project, with revenue sharing arrangements in place.

Keyamo emphasized that the government will not allow complete control of domestic aviation operations to remain in private hands due to strategic security concerns. The settlement has received mixed reactions, with aviation analysts expressing the need for further restructuring to ensure seamless operations at the terminal.