President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s aviation industry
remains under-exploited, despite ready market opportunities across cargo,
maintenance, leasing, and aviation real estate
subsectors.
Speaking on Monday at the 2025 Federal Airports Authority of
Nigeria (FAAN) national aviation conference (FNAC) in Lagos, Tinubu said the
country’s aviation sector is “one of the most viable” in Africa.
The president, represented by George Akume, secretary to the
government of the federation, said the administration is positioning aviation
as a critical engine for national growth, job creation, and global
competitiveness.
He said the federal government has made steady progress
under the ‘renewed hope’ agenda with reforms targeted at infrastructure, and
regulatory oversight.
Tinubu listed major interventions achieved in two years,
including the commissioning of new international terminals in Lagos and Port
Harcourt, and the rehabilitation works in Abuja, Enugu, and Kano.
Others are improved collaboration between the NCAA and
global aviation bodies, expansion of cargo and MRO facilities in Lagos and
Kano, and the development of a transparent framework for a national carrier.
“These interventions are building blocks for a modern
aviation ecosystem anchored on efficiency, private sector investment, safety,
and international competitiveness,” the president said.
“Government cannot shoulder these responsibilities alone but
shall continue to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”
Tinubu said the goal of the current administration is to
build on past efforts to make Nigeria a preferred destination for aviation
investment.
He said the government is already making progress by easing
regulatory processes, improving transparency, and providing incentives for
airport infrastructure, aircraft leasing, maintenance, and training.
“We are also working on fiscal reforms that will ensure
clarity and lend its hand to overall investment and policy coherence,” he
added.
“Let me at this point reassure all our partners, potential
and foreign investors that there has never been a time than now, to invest.
“Opportunities abound because Nigeria’s aviation industry
remains one of the most viable and under-exploited markets in Africa for
several reasons such as, over 220 million people and the largest domestic
aviation market on the continent.
“Strategic geographic location, ideal for trans-African and
intercontinental linkages, growing middle class and travel demand which is
expected to double within a decade, a $1.7 trillion regional market, driven by
AfCFTA, that depends heavily on efficient air logistics, and Massive unmet
demand in cargo, MRO, leasing, charter services, and aviation-linked real
estate.
“These are not abstract possibilities, they are real market
opportunities ready for investors.”
Tinubu said the emerging frontiers expected to define the
next phase of growth are dedicated cargo and agro-export corridors, expansion
of MRO capacity to curb capital flight, development of smart and green airports
with digital passenger systems, and upgraded aviation training through a
decentralised NCAT and new technical partnerships.
TINUBU COMMITS TO IMPLEMENTING POLICY REFORMS FOR AIRPORT
OPERATIONS
He said the administration remains committed to safety,
efficiency and sustainability, and will continue to implement policy reforms
and renewable-energy solutions for airport operations.
The president commended Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation,
and the leadership of FAAN and other agencies for “purposeful” work in
improving service delivery in the sector.
“The future of Nigerian aviation is bright and full of
promise. Together (government, private sector, and international partners), we
can shall build a safer, stronger, and more globally connected industry,” he
said.
Declaring the conference open, Tinubu urged stakeholders to
chart a path that will keep Nigeria’s aviation sector “flying higher” without
compromising safety and standards.
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