Speaking in Lagos at the launch of “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects”, a book authored by aviation journalist Wole Shadare, Keyamo explained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has redirected its strategy toward strengthening local airlines through policy reforms and infrastructure renewal.

As part of this renewed focus, the minister announced plans to tear down the aging terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, making way for a new and modern facility. He described the current terminal as obsolete and stressed the need for Nigeria’s busiest airport to reflect international standards.

Keyamo emphasized that the government’s recent reforms, including changes to the insurance requirements on leased aircraft, are aimed at improving access to aviation assets and making domestic flights more affordable. He added that aviation professionals, including air traffic controllers, have undergone fresh rounds of training to improve safety and operational efficiency.

“In line with our policy shift, we’re creating an environment that enables domestic operators to thrive. We’ve addressed revenue leakages, introduced more favorable leasing conditions, and are enforcing policies to ensure international airlines patronize local in-flight caterers,” he said.

Also addressing the event, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted the sector’s growth, revealing that Nigeria currently boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 operational airports, and over 2,100 licensed pilots. She said that these figures reflect an industry that has made significant progress despite lingering challenges.

Kuku noted that aviation contributes roughly $1.7 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with private carriers playing a pivotal role in connecting cities and supporting trade. She acknowledged ongoing difficulties such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory complexities but maintained that the sector holds enormous potential for further expansion.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s post-independence aviation history, she explained that while the defunct Nigeria Airways was once a symbol of national pride, its eventual decline opened the door for private airlines to reshape the industry. Companies like Air Peace and Arik Air have since led a market-driven transformation of the sector.

“The rise of private aviation in Nigeria illustrates the value of liberalized markets,” Kuku said. “We’ve seen domestic airlines fill the void with competitive services, while international carriers are recognizing Nigeria as a key hub in Africa.”

According to recent data, over 16 million passengers used domestic airports across the country in the past year, with international passenger traffic surpassing 3.5 million.

Author of the newly released book, Wole Shadare, described his 25-chapter publication as a detailed chronicle of the nation’s aviation journey—highlighting its milestones, missteps, and future possibilities.

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has pledged to see the Fly Nigeria Act passed into law during his tenure, ending over 15 years of stagnation since its initial proposal.

The Act seeks to mandate government-financed air transportation of personnel, contractors, grantees, and property to be carried exclusively by Nigerian air carriers. Despite its potential to bolster the nation’s aviation sector, the bill has faced delays in materializing into law.

Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on the legal framework for the Fly Nigeria Bill in Abuja, Keyamo expressed his determination to push the bill forward by rallying major stakeholders. He emphasized the necessity of the law to protect and grow Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“This has been on the cards for more than 15 years, dating back to my predecessor, Chief Omotoba. Under my tenure, it will happen,” Keyamo asserted. “When I assumed office, I saw several initiatives, including the Cape Town Convention and other proposals to develop the local aviation industry, sitting idle on my desk. Reviving the Fly Nigeria Act is a top priority.”

Prominent stakeholders, including the Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, alongside the Association’s spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, hailed the move as a significant step toward revitalizing the country’s domestic airline industry.

Keyamo also addressed the challenges African airlines face in competing with international carriers. He criticized the dominance of foreign airlines in African markets, noting their impact on the growth of indigenous airlines.

“It’s a global conspiracy. Foreign airlines dominate African markets, ensuring local aviation remains underdeveloped. This must change,” he said.

The minister outlined plans to convene a technical committee and engage the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process. He expressed confidence that the bill would receive swift attention, with senators already showing readiness to deliberate on it.

“This bill is not just good for the aviation sector; it is vital for empowering local operators and reclaiming our market from foreign dominance,” Keyamo added.

The Fly Nigeria Act is seen as a potential game-changer for the nation’s aviation sector, offering opportunities to develop domestic airlines and ensure the sector contributes more significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

The post Keyamo: Government Officials, Contractors Must Fly Nigerian Airlines appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has stated that the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja will be finished in 12 months and ready for operations.

The minister who spoke after inspection of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport said, with the payment of compensation currently ongoing, work is set to commence next week and in 12 months time, the runway will be ready.

He stated, “you know I had to go and meet the FCT minister and to get that project off the ground in terms of clearing the obstacles on the way. So as of today the report I have is the money we paid to FCT for them to pay to the settlers there, they have started paying them and they started moving.

“I asked the CCECC people who are doing the project and they said that they were giving me a date of sometime next week for them to clear the site or move to the site. So, we are going to invite Mr. President to come and commission it. And it’s a project Nigerians have been waiting for forever. It has been a controversial project from our Obasanjo time to now.

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“Well, thankfully, this government is set to commence that project and it’s one of the projects that is a low hanging fruit for us. And we think it’s extremely important. You remember the other time when there was a problem with the Abuja runway we all had to go to Kaduna, you know, in a very inconvenient manner, to board our plane.

“So, the second runway for a gateway like Abuja for the capital city is extremely important and I pray that all agencies of government, the National Assembly, the  presidency, will give us the support to make sure we deliver that project within 12 months.”

The minister also explained that the federal government halted the Nigerian Air project based on red flags raised by some aviation agencies concerning the process as well as the outcry of Nigerians.

He however, assured air passengers of improved comfort in Nigerian airports soon, noting that he has identified chillers, elevators and conveyor belts as priority areas which will be fixed soon.

According to the minister, “Well, on my arrival at any airport both locally and internationally, what passengers want to see are three things; your chillers; they want to come into a conducive cool atmosphere. They also want to see that your lifts are working for those who are tired or cannot climb stairs so your lift or escalators must be working and the third one are the conveyor belts which are those belts that bring out the bags

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“Now on a visit to most of our airports, those are the problems we are facing. Even with this new facility, I understand only four of the ten chillers are working. Now, what is the immediate solution? I have told them that my mentality to some of these things is that for example, most of those lifts that are obsolete instead of fixing them and fixing them, you know, every two months they will bring a bill to fix them and by the time you fix three times you are already almost buying a new one. I told them to get rid of them. Let us buy high quality lifts to promote a new brand here.

“The ones I saw here are not good enough. I know about lifts; they’re not good enough. So, I will not be here and for them to go and buy substandard lifts again, the ones that can take high traffic and we see them all over the world lifts are not what you just buy locally. There are good brands all over the world.

“So I have told them to get rid of these lifts. I won’t spend the money repairing them every two months. That’s my attitude towards work. Let’s be patient, rush through emergency procedures for procurement and buy good lifts for Nigerians to enjoy the arrival and good brands.”

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SOURCE: Leadershipng

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