To end the high mortality rate of domestic airlines, the federal government has outlined strategies to push for longevity of Nigerian carriers through favourable policies that would provide them a favourable environment for them to thrive.
This was disclosed by the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, who said that the government will put in place policies and processes that will ensure domestic airlines in the country do not become extinct within a short period of time as witnessed in the past.
The Vice President, represented by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, gave the assurance during the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development Conference on the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol Implementation in Abuja on Thursday.
Shettima lamented that in the last 40 years Nigerian airlines have witnessed a high mortality rate but this has to come to an end.
“It behoves on us now in office to find out why they went under and how we can ensure that it does not happen again. And the only way we can do that is by introducing policy frameworks to ensure that they survive. We can’t keep giving them money, then we must make the business conducive environment for them to survive.
“One of the key elements that we recognise as a government is to ensure that we unlock the international markets on aircraft, and at the heart of that is to ensure the full compliance with the tenants of the Cape Town convention,” he said.
While commending local operators for their resilience despite the excruciating business environment, he said the Cape Town Convention has proven to be a transformative legal framework, harmonising diverse global legal systems to foster predictability and stability for aviation stakeholders.
“For Nigeria, this Convention has not only enhanced our global standing but has also opened doors to increased investment and growth in aviation financing. The recently issued Federal High Court Practice Directions and Advisory Circular mark significant milestones in our journey to align with international best practices.
“These initiatives have streamlined legal processes, enhanced jurisdictional clarity, and improved Nigeria’s compliance index, positioning our nation among global leaders in aviation governance,” the Vice President said.
Speaking now as Minister of Aviation, Keyamo recalled that when he came to office and saw the situation on ground in the aviation sector, especially with the domestic operators, he decided to initiate a new trajectory to rejuvenate the sub-sector.
“When I came to office and I saw this situation on the ground with our aviation sector, with our local operators. For the first time in the history of aviation sector, we put it as a focal point to support the growth and development of our local operators, having realised that the Nigerian state system is unique and different from others,” he said.
On the way forward, the Minister said: “We have made commendable progress, such as ensuring consistent judicial interpretations and aligning local laws with international standards remain. However, these successes present opportunities for further innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building within our aviation sector.
“This conference is a call to action for all stakeholders to engage, deliberate, and contribute to shaping a dynamic, sustainable, and globally competitive aviation industry in Nigeria.”
The minister appealed to the Nigerian Custom Service and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), urging them to collaborate with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure Nigeria is not found wanting in the implementation of the convention.
His words: “We want to appeal to Customs. We’re going to sit down with you at another forum. Please work closely with the NCAA because it is about the image of the country, it’s not about sectorial battles that has frustrated us in the past; the Customs will seize the aircraft and said it’s about export. Come and fulfil this.
“Come and fulfil that for the three next three months, we’re not able to take out the aircraft when we have done our own part. We want them to key into that convention, to also work within our time limit. We also appeal to the EFCC. We have one or two problems on the ground now with the EFCC.
“As we continue this transformative journey, I reiterate the federal government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant aviation ecosystem. I thank all participants for their contributions and urge us all to leverage this conference as a springboard for sustained progress.”
On his part, the acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, said the Cape Town Convention aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope of President Bola Tinubu’ agenda, which has offered a pathway to modernising the country’s aviation sector and ensuring its contribution to Nigeria’s prosperity.
He said: “As you are all aware, Nigeria’s aviation sector holds great potential for driving economic transformation, connecting communities, and promoting regional integration.
“The benefits of these efforts are already evident. Nigeria’s improved ranking on the Aviation Working Group’s Cape Town Convention Compliance Index is a testament to our progress.”
He outlined the objectives of the convention to include streamlining aircraft transactions and facilitating assets-based financing, simplifying the process of buying, selling, and leasing aircraft on an international scale.
“By protecting creditors’ rights and ensuring the enforceability of interests in mobile equipment, the Convention encourages investment and reduces the cost of financing.,” the Director General explained.
Chinedu Eze
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