Nigeria’s aviation sector is experiencing an unprecedented transformation, marking a defining era in its history. Emerging from years of regulatory uncertainty, limited foreign investment, and declining investor trust, the industry is now witnessing a resurgence built on renewed confidence, robust infrastructural expansion, and visionary leadership. At the heart of this renaissance is the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
Keyamo’s Continental Leadership and Its Significance
The recent appointment of Festus Keyamo as Chairman of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG)—a pivotal regional aviation body under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)—is both a personal achievement and a strategic milestone for Nigeria. BAG, comprising seven West African nations, is instrumental in harmonizing civil aviation standards and procedures across the sub-region. With Keyamo at the helm, Nigeria’s leadership and influence in African aviation have been significantly strengthened.
A Milestone Reflecting Presidential Vision
This continental recognition is a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes comprehensive sectoral reforms, economic diversification, and modernization of critical infrastructure. President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding national institutions and fostering an enabling environment for private enterprise has ushered in a new era of clarity, accountability, and operational efficiency in sectors previously hindered by bureaucracy and corruption.
The aviation sector has been a major beneficiary of these reforms. Investor confidence, once fragile, has been restored, paving the way for sustainable growth and innovation. Foreign aircraft lessors and insurers, previously hesitant, now view Nigeria as a viable and promising market.
Nigeria’s Enhanced Global Aviation Standing
The tangible results of these reforms are evident. Under Minister Keyamo’s leadership and the strategic direction of the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s rating with the global Aviation Working Group (AWG) has surged to 75%—the highest in Africa. This rating is a critical determinant for aircraft lessors’ willingness to lease to Nigerian carriers under favorable terms and a key factor for insurers assessing risk exposure.
This improved standing has delivered substantial benefits:
Lease approvals for Nigerian airlines have increased by over 40% in the past year.
The time required to process Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) has been reduced by nearly 30%.
More than five new AOCs have been granted in the last six months, marking a 150% increase year-over-year.
Aircraft insurance premiums have been recalibrated to reflect enhanced safety audits and risk management protocols.
Bridging Industry Gaps Through Strategic Reforms
For decades, fragmented regulatory frameworks and mistrust among stakeholders impeded progress. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, under Keyamo’s leadership, has successfully addressed these challenges through decisive reforms:
Adoption of globally recognized aircraft lease frameworks and their consistent enforcement, fostering trust between lessors and Nigerian operators.
Implementation of rigorous safety audits and standardized protocols, enhancing insurer confidence in Nigerian carriers.
Introduction of digitized systems and streamlined approval processes, improving transparency and communication between operators and regulatory bodies such as the NCAA and FAAN.
These reforms have not only enhanced operational efficiency for existing airlines but have also lowered barriers to entry for new market participants, enabling smaller, agile carriers to launch and scale sustainably.
A Vision for Indigenous Aircraft Manufacturing
While celebrating these achievements, it is imperative to look beyond consumption towards production. Nigeria must aspire to become a hub for aviation technology manufacturing. Drawing inspiration from Brazil’s Embraer—which grew from a national initiative into the world’s third-largest commercial aircraft manufacturer—Nigeria possesses the intellectual capital, market potential, and strategic geographic advantage to replicate such success.
I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a National Aviation Research and Development Commission (NARDC), in strategic partnership with the Nigerian Air Force. This commission would:
Spearhead the development of regional aircraft tailored to African operational conditions.
Support advanced research in aeronautics, avionics, and materials science.
Facilitate public-private partnerships for aircraft prototyping and testing.
Position Nigeria as a regional center for aircraft manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services.
The economic impact of such an initiative could be transformative:
Creation of over 50,000 skilled jobs across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chains.
Increase in the aviation sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP from 0.4% to 1.8% by 2030.
Reduction in dependency on costly imports while building local capacity for both defense and civilian aviation needs.
Aviation as a Catalyst for National Development
A thriving aviation sector is a powerful engine for national development—stimulating tourism, facilitating trade, connecting diverse regions, and supporting numerous ancillary industries. The progress achieved under the Tinubu-Keyamo administration has laid a strong foundation; now is the time to deepen and institutionalize these gains.
In recognition of his visionary leadership, courage, and relentless dedication, we commend Honourable Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN. His role as Chairman of BAG symbolizes Nigeria’s ascendance on the global aviation stage.
We also extend profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose visionary policies have restored dignity and global attention to Nigerian aviation.
Let us now build what we fly. Nigeria has the potential to become the “Brazil of Africa” in aviation manufacturing. With strategic policies, robust partnerships, and unwavering perseverance, the sky is not the limit—it is only the beginning.
The Chairman, Bellagio Airline Ltd, Dr. Oludare Akande writes from Lagos.
