Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus
Keyamo, has said the Federal Government has jettisoned the national carrier
project, stressing that it is now focused on supporting the growth of local
carriers.
Keyamo also expressed dismay over the condition of the old
terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, saying plans were
in progress for government to demolish it and build a new one.
Keyamo spoke in Lagos at the launch of a book titled ‘100
Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects’, written by
New Telegraph Newspapers’ Aviation Editor, Mr Wole Shadare.
Keyamo said the President Bola Tinubu administration was
committed to draughting policies that would support the development of domestic
carriers.
The Minister, who said recent policies put in place by
government showed this commitment, referenced, among others, the revised
insurance regulation on leased aircraft.
According to him, this would make aircraft more accessible
and reduce airfares along domestic routes.
He said: “We have shifted focus to ensure growth and
development for local operators through our policies.”
He added that air traffic operators have been trained and
retrained, just as revenue leakages had been addressed to boost earnings.
The minister also disclosed that almost all foreign airlines
had complied with his directive to patronise local caterers for in-flight
catering.
Also speaking at the event, Managing Director of the Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said Nigeria currently
has 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports nationwide and over 2,100
licensed pilots, which shows that the country’s aviation sector is growing.
According to Kuku, the air transport sector contributed $1.7
billion to the country’s gross domestic product, GDP, with private airlines
connecting cities efficiently and international carriers recognising Nigeria as
a critical market.
Kuku said despite challenges such as infrastructure deficiencies,
regulatory frameworks and financing requirements, there was still substantial
potential for growth.
She said: “Upon Nigeria’s attainment of independence in
1960, we were faced with a pivotal question: How could we convert colonial-era
infrastructure into a sovereign aviation powerhouse? Our national carrier,
Nigeria Airways, emerged as a response, yet it soon faced challenges stemming
from mismanagement and operational inefficiencies. By the early 2000s, we found
ourselves at a crossroads—adapt or risk obsolescence.
“This juncture precipitated a remarkable transformation. The
private sector took the initiative, introducing fresh capital, contemporary
management practices, and a competitive spirit. Companies such as Air Peace and
Arik Air did not merely fill the void—they revolutionised our aviation
landscape. The current figures sum up this transformation: 39 certified airline
operators, 31 airports nationwide, over 2,100 licensed pilots, a workforce
comprising thousands, ranging from engineers to air traffic controllers.
“Nigeria has emerged as a testament to the efficacy of
market-driven solutions. Our aviation sector now contributes approximately $1.7
billion to our GDP. Private airlines are connecting our cities with
unprecedented efficiency, and international carriers increasingly regard
Nigeria as a critical market. Last year, over 16 million passengers traversed
our domestic terminals, while international passenger numbers exceeded 3.5
million. These figures are indeed impressive, yet there remains substantial
potential for growth.”
The book’s author, Shadare, on his part, described the
25-chapter book as a comprehensive account of the aviation industry’s evolution
in Nigeria over the past 100 years.
According to him, it would aid scholars and researchers in
understanding the industry’s history and prospects.
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