Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is facing serious allegations of misconduct, including abuse of office, misuse of public funds, and violating aviation and immigration protocols to facilitate the secret relocation of his alleged American lover, her mother, and others from the United States to Nigeria via Uganda.
According to exclusive details obtained by SaharaReporters from Zainab—the woman at the centre of the scandal—and a senior aide to the minister, the operation involved luxury travel arrangements, diplomatic shortcuts, and funding allegedly drawn from the aviation ministry’s budget.
Zainab, a multilingual American citizen of Yemeni and Congolese-Ugandan descent, said she met Keyamo on September 21, 2023, during a United Nations event in New York. Their interaction began after a photo request from Keyamo’s aide, which quickly evolved into direct communication with the minister himself.
“He came to visit my family on September 30 and offered to relocate us to Nigeria to manage his properties,” Zainab told SaharaReporters, adding that he promised her cousin a job as well.
Despite her mother lacking a valid visa, Zainab said Keyamo urged them to travel quickly using an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC). On November 13, 2023, Zainab, her mother, and others boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET513 in business class, traveling via Addis Ababa to Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport.
Keyamo reportedly advised a temporary stopover in Uganda to avoid them being stranded while he was away in the U.S. and Dubai during the holidays. Their stay in Uganda lasted until December 22 and was allegedly funded entirely by Keyamo, covering luxury accommodation at top-tier hotels like Imperial Mall Residence and Mbale Resort Hotel—where rooms cost as much as $400 per night.
Zainab claimed a convoy of vans, security personnel, domestic staff, and maids supported the group of 12–15 people during their stay. She named three companions who later flew to Nigeria: Balinda Ndagire J. Hislaire, Nsubuga Douglas, and Rambo Prinston Hakim.
On December 22, Zainab and her entourage were flown into Abuja aboard a private jet reportedly arranged by Keyamo, landing at the presidential wing of the airport—completely bypassing standard immigration and security checks.
“We walked straight out. There were no immigration formalities. Everything had been cleared,” Zainab said, adding that her passport was always handled by the minister’s aide, who took care of stamping and documentation.
A senior aide to Keyamo confirmed the minister footed the bill using ministry funds. “Just the tickets cost around $5,000. Their Uganda stay exceeded $10,000. All from the ministry’s budget,” the aide alleged, adding that their Abuja residence was furnished with new appliances, all paid for with public resources.
Zainab also claimed they overstayed their initial one-month entry permit into Nigeria. “My mum and nephew arrived on December 22, 2023. He left on June 5, 2024,” she said. “Keyamo always told us not to worry; he had it covered because he worked in aviation.”
When contacted for comment, Keyamo dismissed the allegations, describing Zainab as a blackmailer. “I barely know the woman. She was a friend of my sister’s and tried to blackmail us a year ago. Ask her for details,” he said.
His sister, Ruth, denied any wrongdoing, stating the family covered all medical-related expenses themselves and insisting the trip was lawful. She also denied knowing of any romantic ties between Keyamo and Zainab.
However, Zainab refuted Ruth’s version, saying they only met through Keyamo after arriving in Nigeria. “They’re clearly trying to cover something up,” she said. “Who is this Rosemary they claim introduced us? Where are the pictures? How could I have met Ruth before ever coming to Nigeria?”
Sources also reached out to the Nigeria Immigration Service regarding the entry of Zainab and her family, but officials have so far declined to comment.
