I sit down with Wale Babalakin, the entrepreneur behind Nigeria's first privately operated airport terminal — MMA2, the domestic terminal at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. Eighteen years after opening, MMA2 remains one of Africa's most significant examples of successful private airport concession — and the story of how it was built is as remarkable as the terminal itself.

Wale tells me how his company entered the bid as a reserve bidder, was eventually invited back after the original winner failed to satisfy government, and then took on the extraordinary challenge of redesigning and rebuilding the terminal from scratch — all within the original three-year schedule. Inspired by a visit to South Africa's newly completed domestic terminal, he rejected the government's original design, won ministerial approval for a bolder vision, and delivered on time.

Now, with Nigeria's aviation sector growing rapidly and a more investor-friendly policy environment in place, Wale Babalakin reflects on what it takes to build private infrastructure in Africa, why airports require long-term capital, and what role pension funds could play in unlocking the next wave of investment.

Key Quotes:

"The best description we could get from the public was: these guys are crazy. Why are they putting their own money into public infrastructure?"

"You must design an airport so that traffic flows and congestion is avoided — because you are expecting heavy traffic."

"You can't build an airport with three-year money or four-year money. It's not possible."

"We don't need money from government. We don't need support from government other than policy-free implementation."

"I believe this is the only way for any economy."

Tags / Keywords

Nigeria airport MMA2 Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport private airport Africa Nigeria aviation airport concession Nigeria West Africa aviation Lagos airport terminal Nigeria infrastructure investment public private partnership Africa PPP Nigeria airport privatisation Africa Nigeria economic development Wale Babalakin Africa Here and Now Africa Nigeria business African aviation boom airport design Africa Nigeria aviation sector build operate transfer Africa airport investment Nigeria domestic terminal Nigeria Africa infrastructure Nigerian economy Kema Chikwe aviation series Africa airport capacity Nigeria long-term investment Africa pension fund infrastructure Africa

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction

00:24 — How the MMA2 concession was won

01:44 — Was it built from scratch?

02:38 — Scrapping the original design — the South Africa visit

03:02 — What kind of terminal did you want to build?

03:39 — Is this model replicable across Nigeria?

04:31 — Is the investment environment improving?

05:29 — What makes a successful airport terminal?

06:25 — Passenger and cargo volumes at MMA2

07:15 — The passenger experience — retail, catering, dwell time

09:03 — When did MMA2 become a valuable asset?

10:25 — The case for long-term capital and pension funds

10:48 — Is private airport development the way forward for Nigeria?

11:16 — Election risk — can these gains be protected?

12:19 — What does the future look like?

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#NigeriaAviation #AfricaHereAndNow #MMA2Lagos #PrivateAirportAfrica #NigeriaInfrastructure #WestAfricaAviation #AfricaBusiness #NigeriaEconomy

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Air Peace CEO ALLEN ONYEMA breaks down the BRUTAL REALITIES of building West Africa’s largest ai in an actively hostile business environment.

Originally driven by a philanthropic mission to solve massive UNEMPLOYMENT in southeast Nigeria, Onyema details how his NAIVETY about the "1,000 jobs per Boeing 737" myth threw him into a ruthless aviation sector.

Beyond the economics, Mr Onyema exposes the systemic challenges of operating in Nigeria, from regulatory hurdles to cutthroat INTERNAL SABOTAGE.

In a STRIKING REVELATION, the man who built an aviation empire opens up about his own profound FEAR OF FLYING—a paradox that underscores the sheer willpower required to maintain his $100M+ vision. He tells me about the true cost of aviation job creation, how to navigate hostile emerging markets, and the psychology of leading an industry you are fundamentally afraid of.

01.28 His quest was to Create Jobs: "I was Naive"

02.17 The Paradox: An Airline CEO Terrified of Flying

06.41. No Business Plan, Just God on his Side

07.23 Financial Discipline is Key

08.22 99% of Hurdles are Man-Made

09.52 The Real Cost of Safety

11.05. Sabotage: An Inside Job

12:45 Surviving Nigeria's Hostile Business Environment

15.23 Finance: No Banks, Your Own Money

17.00. A Good Deal With Emirates

18.36. The Gulf Crisis - an Opportunity for Africa

20.54 What's Up With South Africa?

23.33. Why He Prays to the President

25.00. From Ignorance to Expertise

KEYWORDS:Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, Allen Onyema interview, Martine Dennis, Nigerian aviation, African airlines, Boeing 737, Doing business in Nigeria, hostile business environment, aviation industry challenges, fear of flying, airline CEO fear of flying, corporate sabotage Africa, business strategy in emerging markets ;How Air Peace started, Allen Onyema net worth business, challenges of starting an airline, aviation economics explained, job creation in Africa.

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Guest: Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of African Civil Aviation Commission

In this episode, we have a super conversation with lawyer and aviation expert, Adefunke Adeyemi, to discuss open skies in Africa's aviation industry.

She outlines signifiicant progress made on the continent towards full implementation of the ambitious Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Adefunke also reveals how she views flying: it's not just about getting from point A to point B, it is integral to life. We meet on the sidelines of Nigeria's inaugural Aviation Aquisition and Investment Summit, and Adefunke tells the audience about her twin passions: the law and aviation. As a long time aviation player, Adefunke is upbeat about where Nigeria is today and is optimistic that the recent improvements will not be easily upended if a new administration comes to power in next year's elections.

I ask how she has risen to senior positions in aviation - which is very much a male-dominated sector - and she outlines the strategy of the "7 Cs."

Character, Courage, Confidence, Competence,Capital, Commitment and Charisma.

🌟 The 7 Cs for Women in Leadership - by Adefunke Adeyemi

Funke has devised a strategy over her 25-year career that breaks down the essential attributes every woman needs to lead effectively, especially in male-dominated sectors:

CHARACTER: Your integrity and values. It’s what keeps you in the room once your competence gets you there.

COURAGE: The bravery to challenge the status quo and push through the "infamous" delays in policy implementation.

CONFIDENCE: Owning your space and silencing the inner critic.

COMPETENCE: The technical "price of entry." You must be a subject matter expert to command respect.

CAPITAL: Not about money, this is social capital. How do you present to the world? Who do people say you are? The ability to build strategic networks

COMMITMENT: As women we need to battle through what can be quite challenging physical times - we still need to show up.

CHARISMA: That magnetic quality that inspires others to follow your lead and join your mission. The ability to articulate a vision and tell a story that moves people to action.

🌍 Discussion Highlights

The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC): Understanding its role as a specialized agency of the African Union.

Agenda 2063: Why connecting Africa via air is a top priority for the continent’s future.

The Yamoussoukro Decision: Navigating the binding agreement that connects 44 (and counting) African states.

The Pace of Progress: Why 38 countries have now committed to "accelerated implementation" and what that means for travelers and businesses.

🔑 Key Takeaway

"It's about more than just aviation; it's about the leadership required to unite 55 nations under one sky."

📱 Connect & Follow

Subscribe for more interviews with global leaders.

Comment below: Which of the 7 Cs are you working on this year?

Learn more about SAATM: [Link to AFCAC/AU Resources]

#WomenInLeadership #FunkeAdeyemi #Aviation #7Cs #Charisma #AfricanUnion #SAATM #LeadershipDevelopment

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