Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the Federal Government has officially abandoned the national carrier initiative. Instead, the focus has shifted to strengthening domestic airlines and enabling their growth through supportive policies.
Speaking in Lagos at the launch of a book titled “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects” authored by Wole Shadare, Aviation Editor at New Telegraph, Keyamo also revealed plans to demolish the aging terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and replace it with a modern facility.
According to the Minister, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to introducing policies aimed at enhancing the capacity and efficiency of local carriers. He cited the recently revised insurance regulation on leased aircraft as a step in that direction, explaining that it would ease access to aircraft and help lower airfares on domestic routes.
“We’ve realigned our strategy to support and accelerate the growth of local operators through targeted policies,” Keyamo said, adding that aviation personnel have undergone extensive retraining and measures have been taken to curb revenue leakages.
The Minister also disclosed that nearly all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria had complied with his directive to use local catering services for in-flight meals, a move aimed at boosting local economic participation.
Nigeria’s Aviation Sector Shows Signs of Growth – FAAN Boss
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted significant progress within the aviation sector. She stated that Nigeria now boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 functional airports, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.
Kuku said the sector contributed $1.7 billion to Nigeria’s GDP, driven largely by private sector participation. “Despite existing challenges such as outdated infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and limited financing, the potential for growth remains enormous,” she noted.
Reflecting on the sector’s history, Kuku recalled the rise and fall of Nigeria Airways, the country’s former national carrier, which struggled with mismanagement and inefficiency before its eventual collapse in the early 2000s.
“In response, the private sector stepped in, bringing in fresh capital and modern business practices. Airlines like Air Peace and Arik Air not only filled the void but also transformed Nigeria’s aviation landscape,” she said.
Kuku added that Nigeria’s air transport sector now stands as a testament to the power of market-driven reform, connecting cities more efficiently and attracting growing attention from international airlines. She revealed that in the past year, over 16 million passengers used domestic flights, while international traffic exceeded 3.5 million passengers.
A Chronicle of a Century in Aviation
Wole Shadare, the book’s author, described his 25-chapter work as a comprehensive chronicle of Nigeria’s aviation industry over the past 100 years. He said the book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding the evolution and future prospects of the sector.
