Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government has outlined strategies to support struggling indigenous airlines, focusing on sustainable policies to ensure their survival.
Speaking at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development Conference on the Cape Town Convention in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for local carriers.
Shettima acknowledged the challenges faced by domestic airlines over the years, noting, “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 policy frameworks to ensure that they survive. We can’t keep giving them money; we must make the business environment conducive for them to thrive.”
He emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to the Cape Town Convention, describing it as a transformative legal framework that has enhanced aviation financing and global investment opportunities.
“For Nigeria, this Convention has not only enhanced our global standing but has also opened doors to increased investment and growth in aviation financing,” Shettima added.
Minister Keyamo reiterated the government’s focus on local airline operators, stating, “For the first time in the history of our aviation sector, we’ve made it a focal point to support the growth and development of our local operators, recognising the unique challenges of the Nigerian system.”
Keyamo appealed to the Nigerian Customs Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to collaborate with the NCAA in implementing the Cape Town Convention.
He said, “We want the Customs and EFCC to work closely with the NCAA. It’s about the image of the country, not sectorial battles that have frustrated us in the past.”
Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, said the Cape Town Convention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, offering a pathway to modernise the aviation sector.
Najomo noted, “Nigeria’s improved ranking on the Aviation Working Group’s Cape Town Convention Compliance Index is a testament to our progress.”
Stakeholders commended the efforts of the government, the minister, and the NCAA for their foresight in fostering a vibrant and globally competitive aviation sector.