Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has announced that the Federal Government has officially abandoned the national carrier project, redirecting its focus towards empowering domestic airlines to foster sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking in Lagos during the launch of “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects”, a book authored by New Telegraph’s Aviation Editor, Mr. Wole Shadare, Keyamo emphasized the Tinubu administration’s commitment to drafting supportive policies for indigenous carriers.
He expressed dismay over the state of the old terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), revealing that plans are underway to demolish and reconstruct the terminal to meet modern standards.
According to the minister, recent reforms—including a revised insurance regulation on leased aircraft—demonstrate the government’s strategic pivot. “We have shifted focus to ensure growth and development for local operators through our policies,” Keyamo stated. He added that the new policy framework is designed to improve aircraft accessibility and lower domestic airfares.
Keyamo also highlighted advancements in capacity building and fiscal transparency, noting that air traffic controllers have undergone extensive training, and efforts to plug revenue leakages are yielding results. Additionally, he disclosed that almost all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria now source in-flight catering services locally, in compliance with his directive.
Also speaking at the event, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, noted the sector’s steady growth. She revealed that Nigeria currently boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.
Kuku highlighted that air transport contributes approximately $1.7 billion to Nigeria’s GDP, with domestic airlines significantly enhancing connectivity and international carriers viewing Nigeria as a vital market. Despite challenges related to infrastructure, regulation, and finance, she emphasized the sector’s untapped growth potential.
Reflecting on the sector’s journey, Kuku remarked, “After independence in 1960, we had to transition from colonial aviation infrastructure to a sovereign aviation system. Although Nigeria Airways initially rose to meet this need, it succumbed to operational inefficiencies. This led to a new era driven by private airlines like Air Peace and Arik Air, which revitalized our aviation landscape with modern practices and competitive vigor.”
Author Wole Shadare described his 25-chapter book as a comprehensive chronicle of Nigerian aviation over the past century, designed to serve as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers.