Nigeria Revives National Carrier Plans Under New Aviation Leadership

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the newly appointed permanent secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, to spearhead efforts to establish a national flag carrier and upgrade the country’s airports. The directive aligns with Tinubu’s vision of transforming the aviation sector, according to Business Day newspaper.

In a meeting held in Abuja, Kana highlighted two primary goals: launching a national airline and elevating airports to global standards. He pledged to collaborate with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to enhance passenger experiences and achieve these objectives swiftly.

The initiative comes after the Tinubu administration abandoned the Nigeria Air project launched by the previous government under Muhammadu Buhari. That venture, a joint initiative with Ethiopian Airlines, was dismissed by Tinubu’s team as not being a truly Nigerian enterprise. On August 5, 2024, the Lagos High Court declared the project “null and void” following a lawsuit from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), citing concerns over harm to local airlines. Investigations into alleged corruption tied to the project are ongoing.

Meanwhile, discussions within the aviation sector include proposals for designating existing airlines as flag carriers. The state-run Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has suggested merging Arik Air (W3, Lagos) and Aero Contractors (N2, Lagos)—both under AMCON’s control—into a single national carrier. Aero Contractors CEO Ado Sanusi has acknowledged the potential benefits but called for careful evaluation. Alternatively, some stakeholders have proposed developing Air Peace (P4, Lagos) into a flag carrier through public share offerings.

These proposals highlight ongoing efforts to establish a sustainable and distinctly Nigerian national airline.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com