LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Federal Government of Nigeria and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited have formally resolved a long-standing 20-year dispute over the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2), ending years of legal and commercial tension surrounding the concession agreement.
The resolution reportedly includes the write-off of approximately N132 billion in disputed claims, alongside other major concessions designed to close one of the most protracted public-private partnership conflicts in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The agreement brings closure to a dispute that has stretched across multiple administrations, court battles, and regulatory disagreements over the management, funding, and operational structure of the MM2 terminal in Lagos.
Under the new arrangement, both parties are said to have reached a mutual understanding aimed at stabilising airport operations while avoiding further litigation that had slowed development and created uncertainty in the sector.
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, which developed and managed the terminal under a concession arrangement, had previously been locked in legal contention with the Federal Government over alleged breaches of contract terms and financial obligations.
The dispute became one of Nigeria’s most high-profile infrastructure concession cases, drawing attention from aviation stakeholders, legal experts, and investors concerned about regulatory stability in public-private partnerships.
Officials involved in the negotiations say the resolution was achieved through sustained dialogue aimed at balancing contractual expectations with national aviation priorities and infrastructure efficiency.
The settlement is expected to improve investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly in airport infrastructure development and concession-based projects.
Industry analysts note that prolonged disputes of this nature often discourage private investment, making the resolution a significant step toward improving the country’s ease of doing business in aviation infrastructure.
The MM2 terminal, located in Lagos, has remained a key domestic aviation hub since its commissioning, serving millions of passengers annually and playing a central role in Nigeria’s internal air travel network.
Stakeholders believe the agreement will now allow for more coordinated planning and operational stability, reducing uncertainty that has affected service delivery and expansion plans over the years.
Attention will now shift to implementation, particularly how both parties ensure compliance with the terms of the settlement and maintain operational efficiency going forward.
The Federal Government is also expected to use the resolution as a reference point for future concession agreements, especially in infrastructure projects requiring long-term private sector participation.
With the dispute now concluded, the aviation sector is expected to focus on improving infrastructure performance, expanding capacity, and strengthening regulatory oversight to prevent similar prolonged conflicts in the future.
