Nigerian Air Suspension: Aviation Professionals and CSOs Consider Next Step

When he announced the suspension of the Nigeria Air project a few weeks ago, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr. Festus Keyamo, started a brand-new chapter of controversy.

He claimed that the suspension was essential for a thorough investigation into the Nigeria Air concession scandal.

Similar action had been taken by the 9th House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, which had demanded the project’s halt.

A few days before the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came to an end, Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation at the time, hurriedly debuted the Nigeria Air, five years after it had been unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom.

The Federal Government owns 5% of Nigeria Air, which is held in trust by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, and Ethiopia Airlines, the company’s strategic partner, owns the remaining 49%.

However, opinions on the latest Federal Government participation in the matter have varied among Nigerian aviation stakeholders.

Others disagree with the notion that the Federal Government should demand the complete cancellation of the Nigeria Air project.

The 9th House of Representatives Committee on Aviation was chaired by Nnolim Nnaji (PDP, Enugu), who has called the Nigeria Air project a scam.

Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella organisation for local airlines, has been open about its opposition to the Nigeria Air proposal. The group filed a lawsuit against the federal government.

Group Captain John Ojikutu (ret.), an aviation consultant, stated in an interview with OBASANJO NEWS24 on Monday that the government should prioritise airline security and safety over commercial concerns.

He believes that having a national carrier will not be advantageous for the nation.

Instead of clamouring for a national airline, he suggested that the government look to flagship couriers.

Ojikutu disapproved of the ongoing mismanagement of federal monies for aviation intervention funds.

“Government should prioritise aviation security and safety, not corporate interests. Should not invest any money in any private commercial ventures, including airport concessions. Don’t use Kobo to construct a terminal; a concession should be made instead.

“The FG must remove itself from direct commercial aviation involvement and confront Aeronautical Safety and Security Services head-on.

“Instead of a National carrier, a flag carrier should be established. two or more flag carriers.

“I informed former aviation minister Hadi Sirika that the government only contributes 5%; where are the other 95% from purported investors?

The regulatory bodies must adhere to the law and refrain from financial interference.

“The Government went ahead and paid it 5%; what about the 95%?”

Unless they wish to use it for Government carriers, which are unsustainable, national carriers are not feasible for us.

Government officials won’t be funding it, so by the end of the next three to five years, it will fold and begin looking for government intervention funds. He said, “We ought to cease funding government action.

Aviation analyst Mr. Alex Nwuba advised the government to look into the Nigeria Air Project in great detail.

“Disputes exist over ownership, total cost, and even the nation’s overall benefit. So, while this government evaluates the best course of action, a suspension to gather the facts—which is not the same as an outright cancellation—is reasonable.

Additionally, Nigeria Air’s General Secretary of the Aviation Roundtable, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, emphasised that Nigeria Air does not promote the national interest in its existing form.

According to him, Nigeria needs an international partner from outside of Africa to help grow the country’s sizable aviation market.

“Resuming the project in its current form would not be in Nigeria’s best interests or benefit the country.

We will solely be supplying the Ethiopian Government, according to the project. Nigeria doesn’t require Ethiopian airlines, if we look at the African air transport sector. We require a global partner from outside of Africa. He said, “We have the market.

According to Eze Onyekpere, director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), there was never a Nigeria Air.

He claimed that the initiative was a deception committed by the former Minister against Nigerians.

“There was never a Nigeria Air; the suspension was only announced for publicity’s sake. Where are the contract, agreement, and airline?

“We once had a minister that took advantage of Nigerians. Suspension is the appropriate course of action.

He declared, “The former Minister defrauded Nigeria; there was no airline on the ground; he should be hauled off to pay back the money owed to the nation.”