The Federal Government has nullified the sale of staff quarters belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

Vanguard reported that the decision affects both retired and serving FAAN personnel who had purchased their official residences under the owner-occupier arrangement.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the development on Wednesday in Abuja, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acting through the Federal Executive Council, approved the exclusion of all FAAN properties located within and around airport environments from any form of disposal to private individuals.

According to the minister, the decision was taken in response to long-standing concerns over the continued sale of government-owned properties situated within sensitive airport zones.

“The issue of selling government properties dates back to the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo,” Keyamo said.

He added, “However, there have been persistent representations that staff quarters around airports are meant to serve essential airport personnel such as fire service officers, air traffic controllers and other critical workers.”

The minister stressed that airport environments are designated security areas and are therefore unsuitable for private residential use, especially for individuals raising families within such locations.

“Properties around airport environments are security areas and should not be occupied by private individuals,” he said.

Vanguard reported that the decision followed controversy surrounding FAAN staff quarters in Kano, where some retired and serving personnel had laid claim to ownership of their official accommodation after making payments under the owner-occupier scheme.

With the latest approval granted by the Federal Executive Council, all such transactions have been rendered invalid, reaffirming the Federal Government’s position that airport-related properties must remain under public control for operational efficiency and security reasons.