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  • Keyamo inaugurates Ganduje, Kuku, six other governing board of FAAN

    Keyamo inaugurates Ganduje, Kuku, six other governing board of FAAN

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, inaugurated the board members of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The minister charged the newly inaugurated members of the board to prioritise safety, security, and passenger experience in their new roles.

    The Chairman of the Board is Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, and other members are Engr. T. P. Vembe, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Ms. Dorothy Duruaka, Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman, Engr. Nasiru Muazu, Dr. Omozojie Okoboh and Mrs. Bridget Gold.

    Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister stated the role FAAN plays in Nigeria’s aviation sector, noting that the Authority’s success is not measured by financial growth but by its impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

    The Minister tasked the Board Members to ensure safety and security, promote sustainable development, enhance passenger experience, and foster collaboration with other agencies and organisations.

    He said, “As you embark on this new chapter, remember that the eyes of the nation are upon you. The success of FAAN is not measured merely by financial growth but by the impact it has on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Your work will ensure that our airports become not just gateways to the world but also symbols of national pride and progress.

    “As we inaugurate this new board, we carry the weight of expectation that we must continue to foster an environment where aviation can thrive, connect diverse regions, and promote socioeconomic development across our nation. The challenges we face are numerous—from infrastructure deficits to the ever-evolving dynamics of global aviation. Yet, I am confident that the wealth of experience and expertise that each of you brings to this board will be instrumental in steering FAAN towards achieving its mission.

    “You have been entrusted with a critical mandate. You are not merely figureheads; you are the architects of our aviation future. Your role demands a meticulous approach to governance, a commitment to transparency, and an unwavering dedication to the principles enshrined in the Federal Airports Authority Act”.

    On some of the areas of priority, Keyamo said, “It is imperative that our airports not only facilitate travel but also guarantee the safety and security of all users. You must prioritise enhancing our airport security measures in line with international best practices.

    “As we strive for excellence, we must also advocate for sustainable practices that will safeguard our environment for future generations while boosting our economy.

    “The passenger should always be at the centre of our operations. Improvements in service delivery, customer satisfaction, and the overall airport experience should be paramount on your agenda

    “Aviation is a global industry. As such, we must foster partnerships with other governmental and non-governmental agencies, international organisations, and the private sector to grow our aviation economy.”

    He urged them to work towards elevating the standards of the aviation sector, improving connectivity, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.

    Speaking on behalf of the board members, Ganduje assured that they would study the FAAN Act and work in line with the Act to improve service delivery.

    He said, “We will study the Act of FAAN to see our boundary, so that we do not exceed our boundary. I know this is a common problem between the Boards and the Executive Management and the Ministry. So we are fully conscious of this. But at the same time, we will study so we do not exhibit mediocrity by not doing what we are expected to do.

    “We will ensure service delivery. Because that is the whole essence of FAAN. Service delivery is becoming complicated because there are so many stakeholder institutions, both at the national level and the international level, and we must be conscious of Nigeria as a country that is a leading country in Africa. So, we must exhibit our services to the best international standards.

    Read Also: Keyamo urges Mbah to insulate Enugu Air from politics

    “We will ensure effective institutional governance and effective compliance with regulatory limits because this aspect is dynamic, as it deals with international communities.

    “We will ensure passenger satisfaction and the functionality of infrastructural facilities because it is very important. Once you drop off at the airport and the infrastructural facilities are not functioning, that is the first impression the passenger will have not only on FAAN, not only on the Ministry of Aviation, but on the whole country.”

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, promised to work with the board members and the Ministry to provide an environment with improved passenger experience.

    She expressed hope that Nigerians and others will be proud of the visible work that will be done by the board at the end of its tenure.

  • Keyamo urges Mbah to insulate Enugu Air from politics

    Keyamo urges Mbah to insulate Enugu Air from politics

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr Festus Keyamo, has appealed to Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah to shield the newly inaugurated state-owned airline, Enugu Air, from political interference and bureaucratic inefficiency.

    The Minister also emphasised the need for the governor not to allow the airline to go the way of Nigerian Airways, which liquidated years ago.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the airline in the state capital yesterday, Keyamo further urged the state government to ensure Enugu Air is run professionally.

    He said: “What is left to advise is, do not let Enugu Air go the way of Nigerian Airways.

     Run it professionally and do not let bureaucracy kill Enugu Air. Be prompt in your departure and arrival.”

    The minister commended the governor’s intimidating leadership style and development strides, describing Mbah as a man with progressive spirit.

    “I want to mirror what the president said the other day while he was in Enugu to commission projects. Dr. Peter Mbah, you’re in PDP, but we’re scared of you.

    READ ALSO: Meet the next Olubadan-in-waiting, ex-Gov Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja

    The way you’re going, we don’t know what will happen, and we don’t know how to drop a scheme to defeat you, but we will be planning.

    “Beyond party lines, you are a man with a progressive spirit; a man who has done well for his state.

    And this has made you one of the best-performing governors in the country,” Keyamo said.

    Governor Mbah disclosed that since he took over, the airline had been among the key objectives he had outlined in his pledge to make Enugu the premier destination for investment.

    “Today, we have our airline, and with it, we’re opening doors to a sector that once felt out of reach. Enugu Air has given more wings to our dreams, and today we take that first flight together,” Mbah stated.

    He described the project as a giant leap for the state, a gold standard for government and private partnership.

    According to him, the airline is not owned by the state government, but by the people of the state and investors.

    Welcoming guests to the occasion, the state Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, said, “In the first two weeks of my joining Mbah’s administration, the governor asked me, ‘Is there anything wrong or difficult in becoming like Dubai or Singapore in terms of transportation and logistics?’” I remember saying no, sir.”

    “This is one of the days when we say Enugu’s mission is to transform Africa. Enugu does not need to wait for the future. The future is here with us,” he stated.

    He thanked the governor for dreaming boldly and for getting his vision into action.

  • Wike, Keyamo, Bwala knock coalition, ADC

    Wike, Keyamo, Bwala knock coalition, ADC

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike described the defectors to ADC  as expired politicians.

    The minister said “those politicians have refused to see anything good in the current administration.”

    He spoke during the inauguration of a project executed by the TInubu Administration in Abuja yesterday.

    Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) last night said the new political coalition that joined the ADC poses no threat to the ruling APC.

    In a post on X, he stated: “The emergence of ADC as presently constituted marks the formal dismemberment of the PDP, hitherto Nigeria’s strongest opposition party.

    “Majority of the old guard in the PDP (who have apparently lost control of the Party) have been pushed out of the party by the Younger Turks within the PDP.

    “That is why the gathering today was a conglomerate of ‘former this’ and ‘former that’ of the PDP. No matter how you look at it, this is just Atiku’s faction of PDP in desperate search for the 2027 Presidential ticket – nothing more, nothing less.

    “The other addition to the so-called ‘coalition’ is a sprinkling of APC members who actually worked against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last election and one or two APC leaders who lost their constituencies to opposition parties in 2023.

    READ ALSO; ROLL CALL: Atiku, El-Rufai, Malami, Tambuwal, others attend ADC coalition unveiling

    “Their movement therefore takes NOTHING away from the APC. It is actually better for the APC because it is just a case of totally extracting the germ that was eating the cola nut from within.

    “The person who the old, cunning guards want to take for a ride in all of this is Peter Obi. They want his votes but don’t want to give him their Presidential ticket, because this is Atiku’s show simpliciter. That is why David Mark is the interim Chairman. Those who know politics know what I am saying.

    “But if you do not give Peter Obi the Presidential ticket, you lose his supporters. It is as simple as that. And how can you make someone who won two regions in the last election (Southeast and Southsouth) a running mate to the person who won only one region (Northeast)?

    “Therefore, when the dust settles, you will discover that PDP and the Labour Party have lost something, the ADC has only gained something like a caricature, but the APC has lost ABSOLUTELY nothing.

    “What this all means is that since the 2023 elections, the APC has become stronger, whilst the opposition parties have been fragmented and have become weaker.

    “Those who have defected to the APC since 2023 (the Governors, Senators, Honourable members, etc) put side-by-side with a small handful who have left the APC, who would you rather have in your ranks? That is where lies the key to the whole analysis.

    “For now, let us face governance and allow them to exercise their constitutional right to associate and assemble.

    Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, also dismissed the group as a futile enterprise driven by disgruntled politicians.

    He took to his X handle to describe the political realignment as “a dead on arrival party,” populated by what he called an “association of wild goose chasers.”

    “Association of wild goose chasers, consisting of internally displaced politicians forming a dead on arrival party; better described in the words of @PeterObi as ‘structure of criminality,’” Bwala wrote in the post.

    Otti dissociates himself from anti-Tinubu alliance

    Abia State Governor  Alex Otti says he has no plan to join any coalition to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

     Otti also denounced rumours that he intends to dump the  Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    I’m still a member of the Labour Party and I’m not looking for where to defect  to. I am happy where I am,’’  he told members of the state global economic council in Umuahia yesterday.

    On the coalition movement, the governor said:  A lot of people have been asking me: ‘Are you a member of the coalition?’  

    ‘’My response is, have you seen my name? Have you seen me attending the coalition meetings?

    “We are just busy doing the work that Abia people have given us. So, we are not attending any coalition meeting, I have not attended any one, and nobody has invited me.

    “We had issues, if you don’t have issues, you are dead…  When we had our problems, we fought in the Supreme Court and retrieved our party at the Supreme Court. I believe that a few issues that remain would be resolved very soon because the Supreme Court judgment was very, very clear.” 

    Adeleke, Osun PDP reject coalition

    Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi said Governor Ademola Adeleke would not join the coalition.

    Speaking in Osogbo, the state capital, Bisi said: “We(Adeleke and his supporters) remain with PDP. We are in PDP, we are not going anywhere. I can assure you, we are not going anywhere.

    “We are in democracy. Before APC came to power in 2016, they also formed a coalition. There’s nothing wrong with those people coming together to form a coalition.”

    Reacting to Atiku’s remark that PDP is too weak to win any election, the Osun PDP chairman said: “I wouldn’t know, let us wait and see. I wouldn’t agree with him. This will not be the first time Atiku will leave PDP and PDP won in his absence.”

  • ADA not a merger, just political hype – Keyamo

    ADA not a merger, just political hype – Keyamo

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has dismissed the formation of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as neither a political coalition nor a merger, calling it a weak attempt to mimic past political successes.

    In a statement on his X handle, Keyamo reacted to the emergence of ADA, a new political party recently backed by the Nigerian National Coalition Group (NNCG).

    Earlier the same day, opposition figures under the NNCG had submitted an application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the registration of ADA ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Responding, Keyamo described the move as a failed effort to replicate the 2013 merger that led to the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    Read Also: Keyamo orders probe of Air Peace/Oshiomhole face-off

    He accused the promoters of manufacturing undue excitement around the party’s launch, calling it “psychological warfare against Nigerians” and “a feeble bid for mass appeal.”

    Keyamo wrote on X, “This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a ‘coalition’ here. It is an unnecessary hype the promoters have been struggling to create all along; it is just a psychological warfare on Nigerians – a weak attempt at mass appeal. No recognised existing political party or parties are part of this. If they are thinking of recreating what the APC did in 2013, then this is nothing but a pedestrian joke; a complete mockery of that seismic political coalition that birthed APC in 2013.

    “A few individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a new political party cannot be described as a ‘coalition’ or even a ‘merger’.  This is not different from several political associations springing up everyday for the same purpose. After all the razzmatazz, it boils down to the fact that a new political party is just attempting registration by a few Nigerians; it is a disappointing anti-climax to all the preceding pomp and pageantry.”

  • Probe Oshiomhole, Air Peace face-off, Agbomhere urges Keyamo

    Probe Oshiomhole, Air Peace face-off, Agbomhere urges Keyamo

    The South South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere, has called called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to direct the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to  investigate the faceoff between  Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the management of Air Peace Airline in order to save Nigeria’s local air services from being turned into a bastion of inefficiency and corruption.

    He also called on the NCAA to wake up from its long slumber, saying the world has gone beyond Nigeria’s poorly regulated Airline industry which gives local operators the leeway to delay, cancel and roundtrip tickets purchased by unsuspecting customers, thereby denying them the opportunity to travel on schedule, without any sort of sanction on erring

    Airlines by the regulator.

    Agbomhere made the call in a statement in Abuja, in reaction to the shoddy treatment meted out on Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, by the management of Air Peace airline who denied the Senator the opportunity of flying back to Abuja from Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos despite checking in online and arriving at least 25  minutes before the departure of his 6:30 am flight on Wednesday.

    Agbomhere described the attitude of Air Peace as unjust, insensitive and a violation of the laws and regulations guiding operations in the aviation industry, adding that it is a continuation of the Airline’s lawless and chaotic operations which should no longer be tolerated by Nigerians.

    “I am compelled to address the distressing incident involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace Airline, seeing that the airline is tending to be above the law and notorious for “eye service” humanitarian services carried out by its Chairman, Allen Onyema all in a bid to perpetually cover up their atrocious poor treatment of Nigerians.

    “There are several reports by Nigerians against the airline but these complaints keep being swept under the carpet and thereby emboldening the airline to continue acting as if there is no regulator in the sector in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole vs Air Peace

    “This has to stop and if it takes the poor treatment of Senator Oshiomhole to stop the nefarious activities of Air Peace, then I’m sure that even the former Governor of Edo state is willing to make that sacrifice.

    “It is also disheartening to note that the airline was bold enough to release a statement with deliberate falsehood stating that the Senator arrived the airport 20 minutes late, an obvious lie that should have been spotted by its Chairman who has in recent times taken up the role of an activist and freedom fighter akin to Martins Vincent Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan, but who cannot spot the wicked and inhuman treatment perpetuated right under his nose by his Airline.

    “While calling for a total overhaul of NCAA, I am also issuing a one week ultimatum from the day of the release of this statement to the management of Air Peace to take action by carrying out an immediate investigation into the matter and sanctioning all its staff involved in the incident.

    “The Airline should also tender an unreserved apology to Senator Oshiomhole for the distress and embarrassment caused him and ensure that it improves its customer care service for the interest of the flying masses,” he said.

  • Mid-term report: Renewed Hope Ambassadors hail Keyamo’s reforms in aviation sector

    Mid-term report: Renewed Hope Ambassadors hail Keyamo’s reforms in aviation sector

    …urges other ministers to deliver more dividends of democracy

    The Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network has commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for what it described as a “superlative performance” in transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector within two years of his appointment.

    In a mid-term appraisal signed by its president, Opialu Fabian Opialu, the group stated that Keyamo has surpassed expectations and exemplified how focused leadership can fuel economic reform and foster national pride across critical sectors.

    The group highlighted that Keyamo’s reforms have significantly boosted investor confidence, enhanced safety standards, and generated employment opportunities—aligning strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “The aviation sector has moved from doubt to direction under the stewardship of Festus Keyamo. We now see deliberate and data-backed reforms that have enhanced Nigeria’s global standing in aviation compliance, safety, and capacity. This is no small feat. Keyamo’s performance is not just commendable, it is superlative,” Opialu said.

    The network noted landmark policy decisions such as the adoption of the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) rules, which propelled Nigeria’s Cape Town Convention compliance from 70.5% to 75.5%, moving the country into the high-compliance category. It said this single reform restored international trust in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

    “From reforms in IDERA and aviation insurance to the promotion of local content through the Fly Nigeria Act and in-flight catering localisation, Minister Keyamo has redefined what it means to lead with vision,” the statement read.

    The group also cited improvements in passenger experience, particularly the reduction in airport processing times due to newly installed e-gates at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, and the strategic upgrades of regional airports such as the Muhammadu Buhari Airport in Maiduguri.

    “These interventions are not abstract—they are visible to the average traveller and meaningful to the local economies they serve. This is what true democratic dividends look like,” Opialu added.

    The statement further highlighted Keyamo’s efforts in international diplomacy, which have resulted in new bilateral partnerships and restored routes, notably the resolution of the aviation dispute with the United Arab Emirates and fresh route agreements with Italy and Algeria.

    “His global engagement and successful negotiations have brought Nigerian aviation back to the table of serious international players,” Opialu noted.

    Beyond policy, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network also credited the minister for driving a new safety culture through executive training partnerships with institutions like Boeing’s Global Learning Institute and Cranfield University, which has already led to a measurable reduction in aviation incidents.

    Read Also: AON lauds Keyamo on appointment as Banjul Accord Group Council Chairman

    While commending these achievements, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network called on other ministers to take a cue from Keyamo’s approach and deliver similar value in their respective domains.

    “We urge all ministers and heads of parastatals to emulate this model of results-driven leadership. Nigerians are hungry for development, and the time to act is now. Mr. Keyamo has shown that when political will meets strategic planning, progress is inevitable,” the statement added.

    The group reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and supporting government reforms while encouraging active civic participation in evaluating public officials’ performance in line with national development goals.

  • AON lauds Keyamo on appointment as Banjul Accord Group Council Chairman

    AON lauds Keyamo on appointment as Banjul Accord Group Council Chairman

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), has congratulated the

     Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo  on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) – a coalition of seven West African countries committed to the advancement of civil aviation in the sub-region.

    According to a statement by the President and Vice President of the umbrella body of indigenous carriers : Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa and Dr. Allen Onyema, Keyamo ‘s appointment was described as a remarkable and  testament to the Minister’s exceptional leadership, bold reforms, and tireless dedication to repositioning Nigeria’s aviation sector,   as a beacon of excellence across Africa.

    They said the appointment further affirmed Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the future of aviation on the continent and globally.

    Read Also: Keyamo pushes for single air transport market implementation

    The AON statement reads : “Since assuming office, Mr. Keyamo has championed far-reaching reforms that have revitalized the aviation industry, from championing a revised regulatory framework for leased aircraft insurance, to ensuring Nigeria’s proactive engagement with the global Aviation Working Group. His efforts have significantly improved investor confidence, aircraft financing options, and ease of doing business for indigenous operators.

    “Under his stewardship, Nigerian airlines have achieved new milestones, including the historic Lagos-to-London flight by Air Peace and Nigeria’s strategic participation at the prestigious Aviation Finance Conference in Dublin, both historic feats that have placed the nation firmly on the global aviation map.”

  • Keyamo tasks African countries on infrastructure

    Keyamo tasks African countries on infrastructure

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has tasked the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) member states to prioritise aviation infrastructure development and create a conducive environment to attract investments,

    Speaking during the 4th Council of Ministers after the 18th Plenary Session of BAG in Abuja on Thursday, Keyamo said BAG member States should be prepared to make more concerted efforts for more investments in the provision of infrastructure and facilities for safe, secure, environmentally friendly and sustainable civil aviation.

    The Council of Ministers Meeting, hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), witnessed the participation of the seven member countries of the BAG.

    The States include Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone. Barr. Keyamo was also voted as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

    He pledged Nigeria’s resolve to sustain the support being extended to the sub-region, to attract investment, tourism and continued growth.

    He also said the recommendations of the 18th Plenary, if implemented, will help improve connectivity within the sub-region.

    He said: “The outcomes, if approved by this meeting would provide coordinated solutions and framework to resolving the identified challenges in the area of air connectivity and accelerate the growth and development of air transport in the sub-region. It is believed that the successes that will be achieved in the medium- and long-term period as a result of these efforts would be models and examples to be emulated by other regions in Africa”.

    The immediate past Chairman of the BAG, who is also the Minister of Transport and Aviation for Sierra Leone, Amb. Alhaji Fanday Turay lauded Nigeria for improving air safety among BAG state and the sub-region.

    Read Also: How aircraft manufacturer frustrated Nigerian airline, by Keyamo

    He said: “The resilience, innovation and unity that characterized our collective efforts have been truly commendable. On behalf of the President and the government of Sierra Leone, I wish to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the implementation of BAG agreement and the sustainable realization of a Single Africa Àir Transport Market (SAATM) within our region”.

    The former Minister of Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda (Former Minister of Aviation) emphasized that regional air connectivity is not a luxury but a necessity.

    He said: “Our joint commitment, innovative policies, and harmonized regulations are key not only to improving air transport but also to unlocking the broader economic potential for West Africa and the entire continent.

    “The true strength of the Banjul Accord lies in our unity. As the saying goes, “No bird can fly with one wing.” Likewise, no country, regardless of its capabilities can achieve meaningful progress in isolation.

    He noted that inconsistent policies, poor infrastructure, and inadequate political commitment have hindered aviation from becoming the catalyst it should be for economic growth.

    Mallam Yuguda expressed disappointment with the expanding international hubs in the subregion whilst regional air routes remain largely neglected.

    “It is troubling that over 60% of intra-African air travel still relies on non-African transit points, draining resources and stifling our growth”.

    The former Minister of Aviation, who signed the BAG document in 2004 on behalf of Nigeria, also spoke about the ingrained challenges holding the Group aground.

    “There is also a visible imbalance in resources among our member states. While some nations possess the means to invest in aviation, others struggle to maintain basic services. This disparity has created a ripple effect: fewer flights, longer travel times, higher costs, and frustration for the travelling public” he indicated.

    “Now is the time to act. We must move beyond mere aspirations and translate our commitments into measurable outcomes. As leaders and policymakers, the responsibility rests on us to prioritize collaboration as a strategic necessity” he said.

    True partnership, he emphasised, requires more than signatures. “We must align our operational frameworks, harmonize regulations, and support liberalized access through initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Regional organizations, civil aviation authorities, and airlines must collaborate—not compete—to build a cohesive air transport system that serves all.”

  • Keyamo pushes for single air transport market implementation

    Keyamo pushes for single air transport market implementation

    The Federal Government has called for the speedy implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) among the African countries that have signed the agreement.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who made the call in Abuja yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 18th Plenary Session of The Banjul Accord Group (BAG), said its implementation was critical.

    He explained that its implementation would make passenger and cargo movement easy and reduce airfares in the region.

    He noted that despite Africa’s strong political will and numerous declarations, progress has been slow.

    The plenary session and the Council of Ministers meeting, hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), witnessed the participation of the seven member countries of the BAG.

    The States include Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Gambia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.

    READ ALSO: National Assembly should reconsider rotational presidency

    Keyamo, speaking on the need for the implementation of SAATM, said: “I want to highlight the urgent need to implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for the benefit of our sub-region and the entire African continent. As we all know, SAATM represents a bold and visionary step toward achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and unlocking the immense potential of air connectivity across our continent.

    You will agree with me that despite our strong political will and numerous declarations, progress has been slow, and fragmentation remains a barrier to our regional integration.”

    He also noted that air connectivity is an asset that improves the global competitiveness of cities, states and regions; thus, Africa cannot be left behind.

    “It is believed that SAATM will enhance intra-African connections and make the movement of passengers and cargo smooth with minimum transit points at competitive prices. Achieving these requires our collective resolve not only to implement SAATM but also to make conscious efforts to address the issues of non-physical barriers, including the high cost of travel within the region,” he said.

    He urged member states to move beyond commitments and take coordinated, deliberate steps toward making SAATM a living reality. Our skies must no longer be defined by closed borders but by open opportunities.”

    Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said the session serves as an opportunity for member countries to renew focus on the challenges ahead.

    Some of the challenges faced by members include infrastructure gaps, personnel shortages, emerging safety risks and the imperative for digital transformation in aviation.

    Najomo while noting that BAG continues to serve as a beacon of sub-regional cooperation, commended the progress made in ensuring a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible air transport sector in line with the “No Country Left Behind” initiative by ICAO.

    Capt Najomo said: “Nigeria, being a driving force in the sub-regional group, remains steadfast in its fervent support for the laudable objectives of BAG and is committed to playing an active and constructive role in seeing to the realization of such air transport sector in West Africa and beyond.”

    The Head of the BAG Secretariat, Fansu Bojang who is also the Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said a lot needs to be done to unlock the potentials of the subregion.

    As a group, we have furthered the dreams of the founding fathers of BAG and, through the process, pulled the industry out of the hole we once found ourselves in and placed it on the pedestal.

    He charged member states to work to surmount identified challenges in the region.

    The Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation, Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai, who was represented by Sen. Augustine Akobundu, said the National Assembly is committed to the ideas of BAG and supports harmonised West African aviation community.

    “Nigeria recognises the importance of regional cooperation in advancing aviation safety, security and development. We acknowledge the role of BAG in promoting capacity building shared standards and technical assistance among member states” he said.

    He also called for policy harmonisation, adding that the NASS is committed to an enhanced regulatory framework for safety and security, improved safety oversights, strategic interests in aviation infrastructure, regional cooperation and harmonisation of policies.

  • How aircraft manufacturer frustrated Nigerian airline, by Keyamo

    How aircraft manufacturer frustrated Nigerian airline, by Keyamo

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed some challenges Airline Operators of Nigeria face to stay in business.

    The Minister said an airline ordered 13 brand-new planes but only received five from the manufacturer.

    He further said the five aircraft that were delivered were found to be defective a few months after usage.

    The minister, who did not mention the name of the airline and the manufacturer, said efforts are ongoing by the federal government to get a replacement from the aircraft manufacturer before the end of 2026.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Keyamo said, “Without mentioning names, there’s a particular airline in this country that ordered 13 brand new planes, not secondhand, and the manufacturers delivered five of those aircraft. They operated them for only one or two months, and they discovered that they had engine problems and manufacturer defects.

    “Without mentioning the aircraft manufacturers and the airline involved. Look at that kind of problem. The airline is also very circumspect; it didn’t want to cry out to also run down those manufacturers, but we are all working very hard behind the scenes.

    “Government has to come, we have come into that problem to say, can you please give them some wet lease first because based on this projection of 13 new aircraft, they had rolled out new local and regional routes they want to fly, they sold tickets ahead.

    “They discovered a manufacturer’s defect, and guess what? They could have continued flying because it’s not that they are not flying; those aircraft are flying, but at great risk. Once they discovered that there was a problem with the engine, they grounded all of them for the safety of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Keyamo have restored international confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector — IAMS

    “NCAA insisted that for the safety of Nigerians, ground those aircraft so that we don’t have any disaster, but the public doesn’t know this”.

    On efforts made to resolve the case, the minister said: “We are working hard behind the scenes. We have reached out to the government of that country involved and to the manufacturers involved to say, look, do something. And they have rolled out a program to replace those aircraft between now and the end of 2026.

    “Just imagine what those 13 aircraft would have done to our local routes. So, these are problems behind the scenes that we are all struggling with”.

    “So instead of the government throwing them (airline operators) under the bus to say, go and solve your problem, we are taking ownership to say, let us help them solve this problem. And that is what the government should do. So, we understand the problems with Nigerian people, but we are also working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we also support our local airlines.