The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has vowed that the Fly Nigeria Act will finally be enacted into law during his tenure. Speaking at a one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Legal Framework for the Fly Nigeria Bill in Abuja, Keyamo emphasized the importance of the bill, which has been pending for over 15 years.
The bill mandates that all government-financed air transportation for government personnel, contractors, grantees, and properties be carried out by Nigeria’s flag carriers, a move that is expected to provide a significant boost to the country’s aviation sector.
The Fly Nigeria Act, which has been proposed and discussed for over a decade and a half, has struggled to gain momentum in past administrations. Keyamo expressed frustration that despite its long-standing promise, the bill had not materialized into law under previous governments. The act, if passed, will make it mandatory for the Nigerian government and its agencies to prioritize local airlines for official travel, thus supporting the growth of domestic carriers and reducing the dominance of foreign airlines.
In his address at the event, Keyamo reflected on the long delay, noting that the bill had been introduced to the Federal Executive Council more than 15 years ago but had yet to be signed into law. “We just want to get things done,” Keyamo said. “Under my tenure, it will happen.” He committed to collaborating with stakeholders to push for the bill’s passage in the National Assembly, where it is already waiting for review.
The Fly Nigeria Act has garnered support from key industry players. Allen Onyema, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and Chairman of Air Peace, alongside Obiora Okonkwo, the spokesperson for the Association, both hailed the bill as a “new dawn” for the country’s aviation sector. They noted that the passage of the bill would level the playing field for Nigerian airlines, which have historically struggled to compete against foreign carriers in both domestic and international markets.
Keyamo highlighted the challenges Nigerian airlines face in the face of what he described as a “global conspiracy”. He criticized the dominance of foreign airlines, particularly European carriers, in the African market. According to Keyamo, foreign airlines continue to profit from African markets, especially in large countries like Nigeria, without facing significant competition from local carriers.
“Look at the entire African continent,” Keyamo said. “All the foreign airlines in the world feed on the African markets without competition from African airlines, without fair competition from African airlines. And they will ensure that this aviation market in Africa remains taunted, especially in a big country like Nigeria, so that they can continue to feed on your markets.”
The minister pointed out the imbalance in the aviation sector, citing examples such as Air France, which operates flights to and from Nigeria, filling its planes both ways without benefiting local airlines. This, he argued, exemplifies the need for policies like the Fly Nigeria Act to protect and promote indigenous carriers.
Keyamo announced that the next step in advancing the Fly Nigeria Act would involve the establishment of a technical committee to refine the bill and address any outstanding concerns. He confirmed that the National Assembly members were on board, waiting for the bill to reach the legislative process. “The senators are just waiting. It’s for us to set up a technical committee,” he said.
He also revealed that there is already a pre-draft resolution for the bill, and that once the technical session is complete, the bill will be ready for formal introduction to the legislature. This, he hopes, will signal the beginning of a new era for the country’s aviation sector, where local operators are given a fighting chance to thrive in the competitive global aviation landscape.
Keyamo’s push for the Fly Nigeria Act is part of a broader strategy to develop and strengthen Nigeria’s domestic aviation industry. With the country’s aviation sector playing a crucial role in its economic development, the enactment of this bill is seen as a pivotal step towards ensuring that Nigeria benefits more from its aviation market.
