AFRICA

Nigeria Air Project Remains Suspended Indefinitely, Says Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo

The Federal Government has confirmed that the Nigeria Air project remains suspended. During a ministerial press briefing in Abuja marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo provided updates on the status of the national carrier.

The Nigeria Air project was unveiled in 2023 by former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, just days before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The launch sparked widespread concerns about the ownership arrangement, which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49 percent equity stake, while the Federal Government held 5 percent, and a consortium of three Nigerian investors owned 46 percent.

In June 2023, the House of Representatives called for the suspension of Nigeria Air operations, labeling the deal a fraud. Following this, in August 2023, Minister Keyamo announced the suspension of the project until further notice.

“It remains suspended. It was never Air Nigeria. It was not Air Nigeria. That’s the truth. It was only painted Nigeria Air. It was Ethiopian Airlines trying to flag our flag,” Keyamo stated, “Air Nigeria must be indigenous, must be wholly Nigerian, and must be for the full benefits of Nigeria, not that 50 percent of the profit is for another country.”

Keyamo emphasised that the ownership structure of the suspended airline was not beneficial to the country. 

He reiterated, “Nigeria Air must be indigenous, it must be only Nigeria or it must be for the full benefit of Nigeria. Not that 60 percent of the profit is for another country. How does that benefit us? So it remains suspended.”

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Trump Votes in Florida, Expresses Confidence as Americans Decide Between Him and Harris

Former President Trump has cast his vote in Florida, expressing optimism about his chances in…

43 mins ago

Yusuf Lauds Tinubu, Receives 73 Kano Detained Minors

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has praised President Tinubu for releasing 76 detained minors after…

1 hour ago

Alleged N3 Trn Theft: CSOs Back Okowa, Say Delta Will Rise Against EFCC

Two human rights organisations have criticised EFCC’s detention of former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, calling…

1 hour ago

Tinubu Decorates Acting Chief of Army Staff as Three-Star General, Assures Nigerians Of Better Days Ahead

President Tinubu has decorated COAS as a 3-star General, highlighting achievements in security and urging…

1 hour ago

FCCPC Tasks DISCOs on Band Migration and Metering Compliance

The FCCPC has mandated DISCOs to improve consumer engagement and has halted Unistar meter installations…

2 hours ago

Justice Department Cleared To Monitor Polling Sites In Missouri, Texas On Election Day

The Justice Department is set to monitor polling sites in Missouri and Texas to ensure…

2 hours ago