The Federal Government has officially abandoned the national carrier project, opting instead to support the expansion of Nigeria’s domestic airlines.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this during the launch of a new book, 100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria, held in Lagos.
He revealed that the focus has now shifted toward implementing policies that will foster growth for local carriers.
“We have shifted focus to ensure growth and development for local operators through our policies,” Keyamo said. “Our recent policies, such as the revised insurance regulation on leased aircraft, are designed to make aircraft more accessible and lower airfares on domestic routes.”
Keyamo also confirmed that the Federal Government plans to demolish the aging terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and replace it with a modern facility. He expressed concern over the poor state of the current structure.
Additionally, he announced progress in curbing revenue leakages and enhancing training for air traffic operators. He also noted that nearly all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria have started using local in-flight caterers following his directive.
In her remarks, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, highlighted the sector’s progress, stating, “Nigeria now has 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports nationwide, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.
Last year, more than 16 million domestic passengers and over 3.5 million international passengers passed through our terminals.”
She praised the private sector’s role in transforming the industry, adding, “Our aviation sector now contributes approximately $1.7 billion to GDP. Despite infrastructure and regulatory challenges, there is still massive room for growth.”
The book’s author, Wole Shadare, described his 25-chapter work as a deep dive into the milestones and challenges of the Nigerian aviation industry over the past century, aimed at guiding scholars and future policy decisions.
