Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, has declared the Nigeria Air national carrier, a project of the previous administration led by Muhammadu Buhari, as fraudulent and indefinitely suspended.
This revelation was made during a press conference on the second day of the Ministerial Sectoral Update in Abuja, marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.
Keyamo emphasized that the Nigeria Air project, which was supposed to be a beacon of hope and a truly indigenous initiative, is riddled with secrecy and fraudulent practices. He stated, “It was not Air Nigeria, but an Ethiopian airline attempting to represent us. Why not let our local airlines represent us instead of a foreign entity?”
He further clarified that a true Air Nigeria must be wholly Nigerian and for the full benefit of Nigerians, not a venture where 60% of the profits are allocated to another country. He reiterated, “It remains suspended.”
On a positive note, Keyamo highlighted the commencement of cargo flights as a significant step towards boosting economic development in the aviation sector. This move will allow Nigeria to tap into the $6 trillion global cargo market. He announced the resumption of cargo flights between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, a service that had been suspended for a long time.
Keyamo also addressed the issues surrounding the second runway at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport within two weeks of his appointment as Minister, promising improved airport capacity and operational efficiency.
In addition, Keyamo confirmed that all trapped funds of foreign airlines have been cleared, a significant achievement that required close collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Minister of Finance.
Under his leadership, the current administration has prioritized and assisted local airlines, enabling the country to fully utilize its reciprocal rights under the BASA agreement with various countries. He also announced the commencement of open sky operations with the United States, allowing Nigeria to enjoy unrestricted flights to the US, use any type of aircraft on these routes, and have multiple entry points.
